


LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 5 



fi .— — I 

f UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.! 



MEMOIRS 



WILLIAM AND NATHAN HUNT, 



TAKEN CHIEFLY FROM 



THEIE JOUENALS AND LETTEES. 




PHILADELPHIA : g> ^ ^ 
UKIAH HUNT & SON, 62 N. FOUETH ST. 
LONDON: 
ALFRED W. BENNETT, No. 5 BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT. 

1858. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 

A Testimony from Newcastle Monthly Meeting, in 

Great Britain, concerning William Hunt 5 

Character of William Hunt, by Amos Kersey 13 

Memoirs of William Hunt, by the late Editor of 

Friends' Eeview 17 

His First Religious Journeys 25 

Visit to Friends on Pedee River 36 

Visit to Friends in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, 

and New Jersey 38 

Visit to Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jer- 
sey, New York, and New England 51 

Visit to Friends in Europe 68 

Letters of William Hunt to Various Individuals : — 

To Uriah Woolman 83 

Zacharias Dicks 94 

Eleazar Hunt 97 

Rachel Mills and Sarah Thatcher 100 

Thomas Thornburgh, Sen 102 

His Children 107 

3 



4 CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



An Epistle to the Quarterly Meeting of Ministers and 
Elders of New Garden, Guilford County, North 

Carolina 113 

Letter to William Stanley 117 

DavidBrooks 121 

Margaret Beals and Hannah Kersey 127 

A Few Words of Margaret Beals in Remembrance of 

her Brother, William Hunt 130 

Letters of William Hunt to his Wife 132 

Esther Tuke's Letter to William Hunt's Children 152 

Lines to the Memory of Samuel Fothergill, William 
Hunt, and John Woolman 166 



A TESTIMONY 

FROM 

NEWCASTLE MONTHLY MEETING IN GREAT BRITAIN 

CONCERNING 

WILLIAM HUNT. 



Our dear Friend William Hunt, of New- 
Garden, in Guilford county, North Caro- 
lina, accompanied by his nephew, Thomas 
Thornburgh, of the same place, being on 
a religious visit to Friends of this nation, 
departed this life at the house of a Friend 
near Newcastle-upon-Tyne. The deep re- 
gard we bear to his memory and eminent 
services engageth us to transmit the follow- 
ing testimony concerning him. 

They arrived in London about a week 
after the Yearly Meeting, 1771, and, attend- 



b A TESTIMONY 

ing several meetings in that city, proceeded 
northward, visiting Friends in divers coun- 
ties in England, and also in Scotland. The 
ensuing winter was spent in visiting York- 
shire, Lancashire, and Ireland, returning to 
London in time to attend the Yearly Meet- 
ing there in 1772, then attending the Yearly 
Meetings in Essex, Suffolk, and Norfolk, 
and, proceeding through Lincolnshire to 
Hull, they took shipping for Holland, and, 
after visiting the few Friends there, they 
embarked for Scarborough, but, by contrary 
winds, landed at Shields the 25th of the 
eighth month, and, after being at their 
meeting on the 26th, came that afternoon 
to the house of a Friend near Newcastle- 
upon-Tyne. 

From accounts received, and our own 
knowledge of his conduct and ministry, we 
have good cause to believe that in all his 
travels in Europe he behaved as a faithful 
minister of Christ, exemplary and uniform 
in conduct, of a weighty deportment and 



CONCERNING WILLIAM HUNT. 7 

retired spirit; his conversation was grave 
and instructive, seasoned with love and 
sweetness, which rendered his company 
both profitable and desirable; his ministry 
was living and powerful, deep and search- 
ing, an excellent example in patiently wait- 
ing for the clear manifestation of the 
Divine will, and careful to move accord- 
ingly, so that his appearances in meetings 
were mostly accompanied with great so- 
lemnity, in which he skilfully divided the 
word, being to the unfaithful as a two- 
edged sword, but to the honest-hearted tra- 
vellers in Zion, and to such as were seeking 
the way to God's kingdom, his doctrine 
was truly refreshing. He was a man of 
sound judgment, quick of apprehension, 
and deep in religious experience; and 
although he was only in the thirty-ninth 
year of his age, yet such was his experience 
and stability, that he stood as an elder and 
a father in the church, worthy of double 
honour. 



8 A TESTIMONY 

He attended the meeting at Newcastle on 
the 27th of the eighth month, 1772, in 
which he delivered a short and living testi- 
mony in the love of the gospel to his friends 
of that place. That afternoon he was cheer- 
ful, and expressed his satisfaction in being 
there, and upon being asked what place 
they intended for next, he replied he saw 
no further at present than Newcastle. Next 
day he was taken ill, which was not appre- 
hended to be the smallpox until the fourth 
day of his illness. "When the eruption ap- 
peared he said to his companion, ^'This 
sickness is nigh unto death, if not quite.'' 
His companion signified his hope that it 
might not be so. He replied, '^ My coming 
hither seems to be providential, and when 
I wait I am enclosed and see no farther.'' 
At another time he made the same remark 
to a Friend, saying, " It will be a sore trial to 
my companion if I am now removed." He 
also mentioned in an aflfectionate manner 
his dear wife and children to a Friend who 



CONCERNING WILLIAM HUNT. 9 

attended him, and requested some counsel 
and advice (whicli he then communicated) 
might be transmitted to them, if it should 
please the Lord to remove him, which was 
accordingly done. 

On the third day of his illness two Friends 
from the country came to visit him, to 
whom he thus expressed himself, viz. : " I 
have longed to see you and be with you, 
but was put by." One of them said, ^'I 
hope we shall have thee with us yet." He 
answered, "That must be left." The Friend 
said that whatever affliction we are tried 
with we may yet see cause of thankfulness. 
He replied, " Great cause indeed ; I never 
saw it clearer ; oh the wisdom ! the wisdom 
and goodness, the mercy and kindness, has 
appeared to me wonderful, and the further 
and deeper we go the more we wonder ; I 
have admired, since I was cast upon this 
bed, that all the world does not seek after 
the truth, it so far transcends all other 
things." Two Friends from Northumber- 



10 A TESTIMONY 

land coming to visit him, he said, '^ The 
Lord knows how I have loved you from our 
first acquaintance, and longed for your 
growth and establishment in the blessed 
truth, and now I feel the same renewed 
afresh;" and said, "He much desired they 
might fill up the places Providence in- 
tended, and lay up treasure in heaven," 
adding, "What would a thousand worlds 
avail me now?" 

The disorder was very heavy upon him, 
having a load of eruption, under which he 
showed great fortitude and patience, even 
to the admiration of the physician and sur- 
geon who attended him, his mind being 
mercifully preserved calm and resigned to 
his Master's will, whose presence he found 
to be near him in the needful time, saying, 
"It is enough, my Master is here;" and 
again, " He that laid the foundation of the 
mountains knows this ; if it pleases Him he 
can remove it." At another time he said, 
with great composure, "The Lord knows 



CONCERNING WILLIAM HUNT. 11 

best ; I am in his hands, let him do what 
he pleases." 

Perceiving a Friend to be diligent and 
attentive to do what she could for him, he 
said, " The Lord refresh thy spirit, for thou 
hast often refreshed this body, and, whether 
I live or die, thou wilt get thy reward." 

After the second fever came on, finding 
himself worse, he said, "My life hangs 
upon a thread." The doctor being sent for, 
he said, "They are all physicians of no 
value without the great Physician." A 
Friend said, "I know thy dependence is on 
him;" he answered, "Entirely." Under- 
standing that two Friends who had sat much 
by him did not intend to leave him that 
night, he very sweetly said, "And will you 
watch with me one night more ?" 

On being asked how he did, he said, "I 
am here pent up and confined in a narrow 
compass; this is a trying time, but my 
mind is above it all ;" which was evident to 
those about him, who were sensible of 



12 A TESTIMONY. 

praises and sweet melody in his heart when 
few words were expressed. 

A little before he died he said, triumph- 
antly, "Friends, truth is over all;'' so in 
great peace departed this life, the 9th day 
of the ninth month, 1772, and was interred 
in Friends' burying-ground in Newcastle- 
upon-Tyne, the 11th of the same month, 
accompanied by many Friends, upon which 
occasion a solemn meeting was held, and 
divers testimonies borne to the truth, in the 
service of which he lived and died, an 
example to many brethren. A minister 
twenty-four years. 



CHARACTER 



OF 



WILLIAM HUNT. 

BY AMOS KERSEY. 



He was of a reddish-fair complexion ; his 
countenance serious, composed, and solid; 
of a middle-sized stature, and pretty big- 
bodied, yet very moderate in meat and 
drink ; neither did he yield much to sleep, 
being diligent in business and fervent in 
spirit; of whom I think it may truly be 
said as it was of George Fox formerly, 
viz. : " He was indeed an heavenly-minded 
man, zealous for the name of the Lord, and 
preferred the honour of God before all 

13 



14 CHARACTER OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

things. He was valiant for the truth, bold 
lu asserting it, patient in suffering for it, 
unwearied in labouring in it, steady in his 
testimony to it; immovable as a rock. 
Deep he was in divine knowledge, clear 
in opening heavenly mysteries, plain and 
powerful in preaching, fervent in prayer. 
He was richly endued with heavenly wis- 
dom, quick in discerning, sound in judg- 
ment, able and ready in giving, discreet in 
keeping counsel, a lover of righteousness, 
an encourager of virtue, justice, temperance, 
meekness, purity, chastity, modesty, humi- 
lity, charity, and self-denial in all, both by 
word and example. Graceful he was m 
countenance, manly in personage, grave in 
gesture, courteous in conversation, weighty 
in communication, instructive in discourse, 
free from affectation in speech or carriage ; 
a severe reprover of hard and obstinate 
sinners ; a mild and gentle admonisher o± 
such as were tender and sensible of their 
failings ; not apt to resent personal wrongs ; 



CHARACTER OF WILLIAM HUNT. 15 

easy to forgive injuries, but zealously 
earnest where the honour of God, the pros- 
perity of truth, or the peace of the church 
were concerned. Very tender, compassionate, 
and pitiful he was to all that were under 
any sort of affliction ; full of brotherly love, 
full of fatherly care ; for indeed the care of 
the churches of Christ was daily upon him, 
the prosperity and peace whereof he studi- 
ously sought ; for whom this testimony lives 
in my heart. He lived and died the ser- 
vant of the Lord." A. K. 
New Gaeden, 13th of 10th mo., 1779. 



MEMOIRS 



WILLIAM HUNT. 

BY THE LATE EDITOR OE THE FRIENDS' REVIEW. 
(ENOCH LEWIS.) 



" Gather up the fragments, that nothing be lost/ 



A MANUSCRIPT has been placed in the 
hands of the editor, bearing evident marks 
of age, which consists partly of autograph 
narratives of several journeys, in the service 
of the gospel, performed by this eminent 
and devoted minister, and partly of letters 
addressed by him to divers of his friends. 
As permission has been given to extract 
such portions as may be judged eligible for 
the Review, a brief notice of the life and 
character of the man may probably be, to 

2 17 



18 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

some of our readers, an acceptable intro- 
duction. 

The materials for such a notice are in- 
deed very scanty, and as more than three- 
quarters of a century have passed since his 
decease, we can hardly suppose that much 
can now be gleaned from the reminiscences 
of his friends or numerous descendants. 

His residence during his maturer life was 
in Guilford county, North Carolina; but 
it appears that he was a native of Pennsyl- 
vania, and was born about the year 1733. 
It is known that a number of emigrants 
from the southern part of Pennsylvania re- 
moved to North Carolina many years ago, 
and that New Garden, in Guilford county, 
where he resided, received its name from a 
township in Chester county, Pennsylvania. 
"Whether the parents of "William Hunt were 
among the number is uncertain. 

This valuable Friend became an orphan 
at an early age, for his father died when he 
was about twelve years old, and his mother 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 19 

at a still earlier period. We find that he 
was visited with tendering impressions 
when not more than eight years of age, 
though he did not then understand from 
whence they came ; but after the death of 
his father he was given to see that it was 
the Spirit of truth which had thus visited 
and tendered his mind ; and so effectually 
was the Divine hand laid upon him that his 
mouth was opened in the ministry before 
he had completed his fifteenth year. By a 
careful attention to the openings and lead- 
ings of the light of Christ, he became an 
able minister of the gospel, rightly dividing 
the word, to the great edification of the 
churches among which his lot was cast. 
His travels in the service of the gospel were 
commenced as early as his twentieth year, 
and during his Christian progress he visited 
all the E"orth American provinces, and 
nearly all the meetings they contained. He 
also frequently appointed meetings where 
none were usually held. Though he had a 



20 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

large family in great measure dependent 
upon his industry and care, yet, when called 
by a conviction of religious duty, he cheer- 
fully resigned them and his worldly con- 
cerns to the protection of his bountiful 
Master, upon whose guardianship he had 
been taught to rely. 

In the year 1771, he, in company with his 
nephew, Thomas Thornburgh, arrived at 
London on a visit to the churches in that 
nation. The Yearly Meeting of London 
had come to a close a few days before their 
arrival, and during the ensuing year they 
visited many parts of England, Scotland, 
and Ireland. After attending the Yearly 
Meeting at London in 1772, and passing 
through several parts of the island, they 
embarked for Holland, and, after visiting 
the few Friends in that country, took 
shipping again for England. They were 
not permitted, in consequence of contrary 
winds, to reach their intended port, but 
came to land in the neighbourhood of New- 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 21 

castle-iipon-Tyne. He attended one meet- 
ing in that place, in which he delivered a 
short and living testimony in the love of 
the gospel. In the afternoon he appeared 
cheerful, and expressed his satisfaction with 
being there. When asked respecting his 
intended procedure, he answered that he 
saw no further at present than Newcastle. 
On the next day, the 28th of eighth month, 
1772, he was attacked by a disease which 
proved to be the smallpox. He early ex- 
pressed a belief that his sickness would be 
nigh unto death, if not quite, adding, " My 
coming hither seems to be providential, and 
when I wait I am enclosed, and can see no 
further.'' 

He endured the sufferings^ unavoidably 
attending on this afflictive disease with 
great patience and fortitude, to the admira- 
tion of those who attended upon him, mani- 
festing an entire resignation to Divine dis- 
posal. At one time, in allusion to the 
goodness and mercy of God, he exclaimed, 



22 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

'' Oh the wisdom ! the wisdom and goodness, 
the mercy and kindness, have appeared to 
me wonderful, and the further and deeper 
we go, the more we wonder; I have ad- 
mired, since I was cast on this bed, that all 
the world does not seek after the truth, it 
so far transcends all other things." About 
the thirteenth day from the commencement 
of his illness, he quietly and peacefully 
passed away from works to rewards. Of 
his character and ministry. Friends of New- 
castle Monthly Meeting, where he died, 
gave a testimony, from which the following 
is extracted: — 

^'From accounts received, and our own 
knowledge of his conduct and ministry, we 
have good cause to believe that in all his 
travels in Europe he behaved as a faithful 
minister of Christ, exemplary and uniform 
in conduct, of a weighty deportment and 
retired spirit; his conversation was grave 
and instructive, seasoned with love and 
sweetness, which rendered his company 



MEMOIBS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 23 

both profitable and desirable ; his ministry 
was living and powerful, deep and search- 
ing; an excellent example in patiently 
waiting for the clear manifestation of the 
Divine will, and careful to move accord- 
ingly, so that his appearances in meetings 
were mostly accompanied with great so- 
lemnity, in which he skilfully divided the 
word, being to the unfaithful as a two- 
edged sword, but to the honest-hearted tra- 
vellers in Zion, and to such as were seeking 
the way to God's kingdom, his doctrine 
was truly refreshing. He was a man of 
sound judgment, quick of apprehension, 
and deep religious experience ; and although 
he was only in the thirty-ninth year of his 
age, yet such was his experience and sta- 
bility, that he stood as an elder and a father 
in the church, worthy of double honour." 

John Woolman, who was in England on 
a religious visit at the time of William 
Hunt's decease, and who was also removed 
a few weeks afterwards by the same dis- 



24 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

ease, takes the following notice of the 
event : — 

" At this place I heard that my kinsman, 
William Hunt, from North Carolina, who 
was on a religious visit to Friends in Eng- 
land, departed this life on the 9th day of 
the ninth month, instant, of the smallpox, 
at Newcastle. He appeared in the ministry 
when a youth, and his labours therein were 
of good savour. He travelled much in that 
work in America. I once heard him say, 
in public testimony, that his concern was, 
in that visit, to be devoted to the service of 
Christ so fully that he might not spend one 
minute in pleasing himself; which words, 
joined with his example, were a means of 
stirring up the pure mind in me." 

It is within the memory of the editor that 
Thomas Thornburgh, the nephew of Wil- 
liam Hunt, who accompanied him to Europe, 
and who was also a minister, was seized 
with the same disease (the smallpox) while 
returning through Pennsylvania to his 



MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUNT. 25 

place of residence, from a religious visit to 
Friends in Europe, and was removed with- 
out reaching home. This event took place 
in or about the year 1787. 

Of the earliest journeys of this valuable 
minister in the service of the gospel very 
little now appears to be known. In the 
former part of the manuscript volume 
already mentioned, a mutilated account of 
one of those journeys is given: the be- 
ginning seems to have been lost, and the 
year is not stated. His travels are said to 
have commenced in or about his twentieth 
year. The parts of the country then visited 
are not specified, but were probably in Vir- 
ginia or North Carolina. 

Of a meeting at a private house, Thomas 
Moreman's, where it does not appear that 
one was usually held, the following account 
is given, from which it is obvious that, 
young as he was, he was a valiant advocate 
of the cause in which he was engaged : — 

"The people seemed to sit down in 



26 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

awfulness before God; the meeting began 
with the sweet overflowing of the pure love 
of God, which sprang in my heart to the 
people; but after we had sat some time 
there came a great cloud of darkness over 
the meeting, and at length a man named 
John Newbury rose to speak. After he 
sat down I was deeply concerned to speak 
against a corrupt ministry ; and, feeling 
sweet love in my heart to the people, in- 
vited them to the voice of the true Shep- 
herd, that was to be heard in their own 
hearts. After meeting, John Newbury 
came to us in a contentious spirit, and 
spake many high-swelling words, and went 
away dissatisfied. Blessed be God for ever- 
more, who is able to make manifest the 
works of darkness, and to set his glorious 
power over all." 

As we have no intimation that any con- 
troversy with this man was indulged, we 
may reasonably infer that William Hunt, 
having endeavoured to perform his duty 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 27 

with fidelity in the meeting, afterwards, 
observing the modesty w^hich a young man 
should never forget, left this bewildered 
man to the convictions of his own mind. 

He next proceeded up the river — what 
river is not explained — and appointed a 
meeting, where one had never been held 
before. ^'This,'' he remarks, "was a solid 
good meeting, and concluded with fervent 
prayer. Blessed be the Most High, who 
was pleased to give me the reward of true 
peace and solid satisfaction in my own 
mind, which caused sweet songs of joy and 
endless praise to spring in my heart unto 
the everlasting Being who had brought me 
through many a deep and grievous trial in 
this my journey. He alone is over all, 
blessed in himself and in his Son, both now 
and for evermore. Amen.'' 

After this meeting, "William Hunt and 
his companion, "William Hoggatt, who ap- 
pears to have borne him company through- 
out this journey, set out towards home. 



28 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Their way seems to have been through the 
wilderness, for we find that they lodged the 
two following nights in the woods, having 
ridden on one of those days about forty 
miles. This kind of accommodation would, 
in our day, be deemed sufficiently rough 
and exposing for two young men to put up 
with ; but they appear to have had, in this 
wilderness journey, the company and care 
of two female Friends. On the morning 
succeeding their second night's lodging in 
the woods, he mentions : " We were all un- 
expectedly brought down in pure silence 
before God, and were renewedly owned 
with his overcoming love shed abroad in 
our hearts ; blessed be his worthy name for 
evermore.'' 

After this they had to ride about twenty- 
six miles, probably through the wilderness, 
when they found a lodging-place, and there 
parting with their female companions, Abi- 
gail Pike and Martha Thornton, they soon 
reached home. "It being," he says, "the 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 29 

first day of the week, I went to meeting, 
where I met with my dear friends in the 
fulness of the heavenly Father's love." 

Though the year when this journey was 
taken is not clearly designated, we infer 
that it was previous to his marriage, for he 
mentions arriving at his brother's, but says 
nothing respecting his wife. But we find 
that in the fifth month, 1754, when still not 
twenty-one years of age, he parted, to adopt 
his own language, " with my dear wife and 
friends, in great love and tenderness of spi- 
rit, to our mutual joy and comfort," to visit 
the meetings of Friends in North Carolina 
and Virginia. The first object appears to 
have been the attendance of the Quarterly 
Meeting to which he belonged; and we 
may form an imperfect idea of the toil 
encountered by Friends of that day and 
country from the facts noted in this jour- 
ney. Besides four days' travelling, in 
which the distance passed over is not stated, 
but some difiiculty in crossing the water is 



30 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

noted, specific distances, amounting to 
ninety-two miles, are given. And this, we 
observe, was to attend their Quarterly 
Meeting. 

After that meeting, which, including the 
meeting of ministers and elders, occupied 
three days, was over, "William Hunt and 
his companion, John Hoggatt, proceeded to 
visit a number of the meetings in North 
Carolina. Of these services he observes 
that his exercise was "generally pretty 
close ; but, forever praised and magnified be 
the worthy name of the most high God, 
he was pleased at times to set his blessed 
truth over all, in the demonstration of the 
spirit and power thereof, to our mutual joy 
and comfort.'' "It often," says he, "fell 
to my lot in this journey to be baptized for 
the unfaithful professors of the truth, who 
stood in the form and not in the life and 
power of religion." 

Of a meeting in Virginia he remarks, 
"The Lord was pleased in this meeting to 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 31 

set his precious truth over all, to our great 
joy and comfort. There were many profes- 
sors that had left the pure life of religion, 
and let fall the spiritual weapons of warfare, 
(whereby our worthy ancients were enabled 
to go forth against spiritual wickedness,) 
and run into fleshly liberty, pomp, pride, 
and vain-glory, having shunned the cross, 
and forsaken the way laid down for the 
redeemed of the Lord to walk in. Against 
those the controversy of the Lord in my 
heart was very great; and, blessed be his 
worthy name, he was pleased to bear up my 
spirit in these times of great labour and 
travail of spirit, so that I can say, by a 
living sense of his Divine goodness, he re- 
quires nothing of any creature, but that he 
gives strength according to the day, as they 
stand passive in his will. But what can I 
say ? the work is altogether his own, there- 
fore to him belong the praise, honour, and 
glory of his own work, who is pleased to 
make use of mean and foolish instruments 



32 MEMOIKS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

for the bringing to pass thereof. And in 
retaliation for [commemoration of] his 
strength-renewing hand in this journey, my 
soul returns humble thanks and praise [to 
him] who is worthy for evermore." 

After visiting the meetings of Friends in 
various parts of Virginia, where there ap- 
pear to have been a considerable number of 
the Society located, among whom, in more 
instances than one, he commemorates with 
gratitude the manifestation of the Divine 
presence, melting their hearts, and tender- 
ing their spirits before him, he found, as he 
expresses it, " the motion of life as to tra- 
velling cease;'' and after a short delay pre- 
pared for returning home. 

He was then at a place called Fort Creek, 
and he says, " It pleased the Divine will to 
move on the minds of some Friends of that 
place to come and see us, so that the 
Friends of that meeting generally came, and 
a living time we had together. The healing 
waters were poured forth, to the joy and 



MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUNT. 33 

consolation of the poor mourners and weary 
travellers, and many burdened souls got 
ease ; a time, I believe, not to be forgotten 
by many while we have a day to live in this 
life. "We parted next morning in great 
love and brokenness of spirit, feeling the 
good presence of the Lord therein. The 
enemy had laboured with subtility to lay 
waste the heritage of God in that place, and 
caused many that had been valiants in the 
Lamb's war to faint, and to let fall their spi- 
ritual weapons, to the great grief of the 
faithful seed. With those my soul was 
often deeply engaged ; and blessed forever 
be that ancient arm of Divine power, who 
was pleased to enable me to go through it, 
for the weight thereof was very great, and 
many times bowed my spirit very low. Ob 
that my soul with the living may alwayn 
sing sweet praise and endless glory unto the 
high and holy King, who keeps his little 
ones under the shadow of his hand, and 

gives them power over all to stand." 
3 



34 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

While returning through Virginia, he 
attended a meeting among the few Friends 
on the Appomatox Eiver, of which he 
gives the following account : — 

^'It was a close and exercising meeting 
for some time. The enemy had raised a 
monster among them, who pretended to be 
as highly inspired as any of the apostles. 
I having never heard any thing of it, it 
caused great exercise and travail of spirit ; 
but after some time I was constrained in the 
power of the Lord to bear testimony against 
that spirit, that set itself above the pure 
witness of God, and caused separation and 
division among his people. Friends were 
greatly broken in spirit, and I felt sweet 
encouragement spring in my heart to the 
travailing seed of God, whose souls were 
greatly bowed down in pain and travail of 
spirit ; and the meeting concluded to sweet 
satisfaction.'' 

This journey appears to have occupied 
two months ; and in reference to the last 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 35 

meeting lie had previous to his arrival at 
his own residence, and the feelings expe- 
rienced on his return home, he remarks, 
" This meeting was very lively and power- 
ful ; the Lord's good presence was witnessed 
therein to our joy and comfort; forever 
praised and magnified be the worthy name 
of the most high God, who still continued 
his loving-kindness to my poor soul, with 
the signet-seal of his eternal Spirit. Oh, the 
effects of pure peace which I felt on my 
return home is beyond what I am able to 
express. I thought it was a full reward for 
all my various trials and exercises, though 
at times very great." 

Only about seven months were allotted to 
the cares and enjoyments of domestic life, 
after his return from his former journey, 
before this devoted servant of the Most 
High again set out on a gospel mission. 
His dedication and religious engagements 
must appear quite remarkable when we re- 
collect that he was then only in. his twenty- 



86 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

second year. The prospect was a visit to 
Friends on the Pedee River. This jour- 
ney, like the previous one, was in consider- 
able part through a wilderness, for on the 
second and third nights he and his compa- 
nions, being four in all, took up their lodg- 
ing in the woods, having in each case rid- 
den about forty miles the preceding day. 
Of this journey but few incidents are re- 
lated. The small number of Friends who 
were visited appear to have been thinly 
scattered over the country, holding their 
meetings in private houses, and so located 
that, in passing from one settlement to 
another, a night was occasionally spent in 
the woods. 

In one place he mentions having a meet- 
ing among the Baptists, '^ wherein truth 
was exalted, and the name of our great 
Lord and Master glorified. We taught 
them," he says, "by example more than 
precept, showing them the true worship 
which stands in spirit and in truth." In 



MEMOIRS OE WILLIAM HUNT. 37 

these brief memoirs we have evidence that 
he was careful to regard the shutting as 
well as the opening of the gospel spring ; for 
of one meeting, which seems to have been 
among Friends, he remarks, " This was the 
third time at this place wherein my Master 
made me an example of silence, thereby 
directing the people to the great Searcher 
in themselves." But at others he was 
enabled to preach the gospel in the demon- 
stration of the Spirit, still humbly ascribing 
the honour and praise altogether to the all- 
bountiful Giver of every good and perfect 
gift. After a journey of something less 
than three hundred miles, he was favoured 
to reach his own habitation in the enjoy- 
ment of pure and solid satisfaction. 

An interval of a little more than six 
years occurs between the journey last men- 
tioned and the next which appears on the 
record. 

In the early part of the fifth month, 1761, 
being then about his twenty-eighth year, he 



38 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

left home with a prospect of paying a reli- 
gious visit to Friends in Virginia, Mary- 
land, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. His 
companion was Bowater Beales. 

After attending their own Quarterly 
Meeting at Cane Creek, which lasted three 
days, they took a solemn leave of their 
wives, who had accompanied them to that 
meeting, and proceeded on their journey. 
Some portions of the country through which 
they passed were then so thinly settled that 
more nights than one were passed in the 
woods. In the narrative which is preserved 
respecting the journey we find these gospel 
messengers visiting the meetings of Friends 
in Virginia and Maryland, in situations 
where at this day very few, if any, of the 
Society remain. Among these "William 
Hunt evidently appears to have laboured 
diligently and faithfully, frequently having 
religious opportunities with the families 
where they lodged. In these engagements, 
as well as the more public assemblies, they 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 39 

were favoured with many refreshing and 
strengthening seasons. The frequent ac- 
knowledgment of Divine support, and the 
general evidence running through the nar- 
rative that love to the brethren was the 
clothing of his spirit, serve to impress a 
conviction on the minds of his readers that 
the eminent gifts with which he was en- 
dowed were received and exercised with a 
single eye to the glory of the Giver and to 
the promotion of the cause of truth and 
righteousness in the earth. He was par- 
ticularly careful not to deck himself with 
his Lord's jewels, or to assume as his own 
what he knew belonged to the Dispenser of 
every gift. 

This visit appears to have extended to 
nearly if not quite all those parts of Penn- 
sylvania and New Jersey where any settle- 
ments of Friends had then been formed. 

While passing through the interior of 
Pennsylvania, he attended a meeting which 
proved an exercising one ; and, though he 



40 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

found his way open for some religious 
exercise, it did not appear to be attended 
with the same evidence of Divine life which 
he had sometimes experienced. He there- 
fore made his communication a short one ; 
and, after parting w^ith many of his friends 
^'in much love and tenderness of spirit," 
he proceeded toward a place where he ex- 
pected another meeting to be held. ''But,'' 
says he, " I had not gone far before the 
accuser of the brethren met me in the way, 
and, being but low and dejected before, I 
cannot express the situation my mind was 
now in. It seemed to me that the bottom- 
less pit from beneath had opened her 
mouth, and with her bars had encompassed 
me about; the very weeds of confusion 
were wrapped about my head." The fol- 
lowing night was spent "in a variety of 
distressing thoughts, not knowing what 
would be the end of this combat. I brought 
things," he remarked, "to the nearest in- 
spection I was capable of, but could not 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 41 

find that I stood condemned for any thing, 
unless it was for speaking too loud and too 
fast, to which I was incident." 

From this remark we may infer that he 
felt a secret apprehension that he some- 
times suffered his mind to partake of a zeal 
and excitement which did not arise alto- 
gether from the true gospel fountain, and 
that his ardour may have partaken in some 
degree of a warmth arising from sparks of 
his own kindling. In whatever light he 
viewed his own manner of speaking, the 
fear here intimated shows the tenderness 
and watchfulness of his spirit. 

In the morning, as he proceeded, in 
company with several of his friends, toward 
the place where a meeting was expected to 
be held, his mind was painfully exercised 
with the prospect, as he expresses it, "of 
facing a meeting" under the disconsolate 
feelings which attended him. ''But," says 
he, " at length, through the great goodness 
of the Almighty, to whom all powers are 



42 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

subject, there arose a pleasant calra over my 
mind, and there was a secret intelligible 
voice passed through my heart, 'If thou 
wilt be contented, and bear all things just 
as they come, my presence shall be with 
thee.' Oh, gracious reviving of my life. 
In humble dread and awful fear. If thou 
wilt preserve me from dishonouring thy 
name, I am willing to endure all things 
that may come upon me, for thy truth's 
sake." 

When they arrived at the place where an 
appointed meeting was expected, they found 
that, by some oversight, notice had not 
been circulated, and William Hunt was not 
subjected to the necessity of facing a meet- 
ing there. 

The Yearly Meeting of Philadelphia oc- 
curred while he was on this visit, which he 
attended, it being then held near the end of 
the ninth month. Of that meeting he re- 
marks, that the several sittings thereof 
were owned with a mighty sense of truth. 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 43 

and the business was transacted with much 
calmness and condescension. In some of 
them he was enabled, through gracious 
hejp, to declare the testimony of truth, to 
his own satisfaction and that of his friends. 
Having a number of relatives at that meet- 
ing to whom he was closely united, he had 
a religious opportunity, at the house where 
he lodged, with them and others, from 
whom, at the close of the Yearly Meeting, 
he parted, as he remarks, " with a heart 
covered with reverent fear and humble 
dread, under a sense of the many deep 
trials Sacred Goodness had brought him 
through." 

He several times visited John Church- 
man, whom he pronounces "an ancient 
worthy minister of great experiences." 
This valuable minister took a private op- 
portunity to impart to his youthful visitor 
some advice, which was particularly affect- 
ing and highly instructive, — thus manifest- 



44 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

ing the care of a father in the church over 
a bright and promising son. 

At a subsequent period of this journejs 
he again visited the same worthy minister, 
he being then very ill, and in human pro- 
bability not likely to recover. During a 
solemn pause, William Hunt says it arose 
in his heart to tell him he thought he must 
surmount this wave, and perform some fur- 
ther service for the truth; to which he 
meekly answered, " The will of the Lord be 
done." 

John Churchman did, soon afterwards, 
so far recover his health as to go to Phila- 
delphia, for the purpose of seeking a pas- 
sage to Barbadoes, which he had a prospect 
of visiting on a religious account ; but find- 
ing that all the vessels which were prepar- 
ing to proceed to that island were furnished 
with guns for defence — the English and 
French nations being then at war — he did 
not feel at liberty even to look at them 
with a view to taking a passage. Having 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 45 

informed Friends in one of their meetings 
of his sentiments on this subject, he re- 
turned home, and waited to see whether a 
clearer way would open. But the concern 
went off, and he seems to have regarded 
this religious concern as a measure ap- 
pointed by a wisdom superior to his own, 
to enable him to give a full and feeling- 
testimony against participating in or giving 
countenance to the destruction of human 
life. John Churchman lived, after the in- 
terview to which William Hunt alludes, 
between thirteen and fourteen years; and 
during great part of that time was much 
engaged in the service of the gospel ; so 
that the prospect expressed by his visitor 
was amply verified. 

When he was about leaving that part of 
the country, William Hunt paid a parting 
visit to this experienced minister, who 
dropped some admonitions which clearly 
indicate his solicitude that this young and 
highly valued friend and brother in the 



46 MEMOIRS OP WILLIAM HUNT. 

gospel might not grow more rapidly in the 
branch than in the root. His experience of 
man had no doubt strongly impressed on 
his mind a sense of the danger attendant 
upon young persons when endowed with 
extraordinary gifts, natural or spiritual. 
His expressions were, "I have had sweet 
unity and sympathy with thee from thy 
first coming into this province. I am glad 
thou hast grown in thy gift ; yea, and thou 
wilt still grow if thou sink deep and wait 
in thy gift; but if thou leave it, thou wilt 
grow in the top, and many words without 
life. Therefore wait in the gift, and when 
thou comes home, see if thou canst not say 
with Jacob, I am become two bands ; say 
in the secret of thy soul. Lord, if thou wilt 
be pleased to blot out my transgressions, I 
am content." 

These appear to have been the parting 
expressions of one who was justly regarded 
as a father and instructor, both to him and 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 47 

to others, and they made a deep impression 
on the subject of this notice. 

At the time when this journey was per- 
formed, the Society of Friends were labour- 
ing to clear themselves from the practice of 
holding slaves ; and this subject did not 
escape the attention of a mind so tho- 
roughly alive to the cause of universal 
righteousness as that of William Hunt. 
When about leaving Pennsylvania,* he re- 
marks, "My heart was still pained on 
account of the poor negroes; and feeling 
the way open in their meeting for business, 
[at West Nottingham] I spoke tenderly and 
closely to the subject, entreating Friends to 
live deeply inward, and, when truth should 
dictate the way for their enlargement, not 
to let self-love hinder so great a work." 

" The cry of these poor creatures was so 

* Pennsylvania was then a slave-holding province. The 
first law which effectually sealed the doom of slavery in 
that State was not enacted until nearly twenty years after 
that time. 



48 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

lend m my ears, that I scarce ate or drank 
any thing, lest I should partake of the gain 
of oppression." 

From this expression we may readily 
perceive that his views in this respect were 
very similar to those of John "Woolman in 
relation to the products of slave-extracted 
labour. 

Having nearly accomplished the service 
to which he believed himself called, and 
taken leave, in great sweetness and tender- 
ness of spirit, of many of the friends among 
whom he had laboured, he was expecting 
to proceed immediately home, when he 
found his mind drawn towards a meeting 
which lay fifty miles out of his way. This, 
he says, was a pinching trial ; he pleaded 
hard to be excused. But the covenant 
which he made in his journey was brought 
into view; when under deep-baptism, he 
had promised that if the Lord would pre- 
serve him to the honour of his name, he 
would offer up not only his nearest enjoy- 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 49 

ments, but his life if required. Then, lie 
says, a sweet voice passed through his 
mind: "What hast thou lacked of my 
presence? have not I been with thee and 
supported thee through those dangerous 
spots of which thou wast sore afraid ? If 
thou wilt be faithful, I will still preserve, 
both at home and abroad. Wilt thou now 
distrust the sufficiency of my power?" 

Then he says, " With an awful, humble, 
yet mournful resignation, I said, in the 
secret of my soul, ' Lord, thy peace is more 
to me than ten thousand worlds. I am 
willing to follow wheresoever thou pleasest.' 
While I could keep here, my mind was in 
true quiet and stillness, but the desire I had 
let in to see my dear wife and little babes 
had become so strong, that I could not 
easily put them by; and therefore I spent 
this night in many a bitter sigh and heavy 
groan, with frequent weeping." 

Having attended the meeting in question, 
he proceeded homeward without further 



50 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

delay, lodging one night in the woods on 
the road, and found his wife and family 
well, '^who," says he, "with many dear 
friends and near relatives, were glad to re- 
ceive me once more in the fellowship that 
is with the Father and with the Son, to 
whom be rendered dread and humble fear 
forever." 

Near the close of the narrative, this de- 
claration appears : " Now I know it was the 
language of the Holy Spirit which said, 
^Be faithful, and I will preserve at home 
and abroad.' Oh, saith my soul, that I, 
with all his anointed, may ever keep 
a watchful eye to the secret monitions 
thereof, and give a ready obedience, which 
alone crowns all our labour with true 
peace !'* 

After the journey just mentioned, another 
interval of nearly six years occurs in the 
manuscript volume, during which no ac- 
count appears respecting his life or gospel 
labours. 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 51 

Near the end of the fifth month, 1767, we 
find him again relinquishing the comforts 
and engagements of domestic life, to per- 
form a visit in the love of the gospel to 
Friends in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsyl- 
vania, New Jersey, New York, and New 
England. His companion in the former 
part of this visit was Zacharias Dicks, who 
was also a minister, and appears to have 
been a member of the same Monthly Meet- 
ing. The commencement of this journey 
was attended by a circumstance of no ordi- 
nary trial. On the night previous to their 
departure from home, the youngest child of 
Zacharias Dicks was seized with convul- 
sions, attended with great apparent suffer- 
ing. Yet such was his dedication to the 
cause in which he was engaged, that he was 
satisfied to set out on his journey, resigning 
all to Divine disposal. And in this conclu- 
sion he was encouraged by the mother of 
the child, who gave him up freely, and ex- 
pressed her belief that they had best pro- 



52 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

ceed on their mission. In this, as in the 
preceding journeys, we find them taking up 
at times their lodging in the woods, while 
passing the mountainous region that runs 
through Virginia. 

The first meeting which they attended in 
that province is mentioned as deeply dis- 
tressing, from a conviction of the want of 
a submission to the ^^ baptizing power of 
religion, to gather them into the bond and 
body of Christ,'' and the consequent dis- 
order which had crept in among them. Yet 
we find that, in the western part of Vir- 
ginia, they met with Friends to whom they 
were closely united in gospel fellowship, 
and among whom they had meetings and 
religious opportunities to good satisfaction. 
Among these friends was a sister to Zacha- 
rias Dick's wife, named Hester Haines, who 
is mentioned as having a beautiful gift in 
the ministry. 

From these brief notices we may reason- 
ably infer, though nothing specific is said 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 53 

on the subject, that the benumbing influ- 
ence of slavery was then, as it now is, more 
prevalent and productive of its natural 
effects in Eastern than in Western Virginia. 
Having visited the meetings of Friends 
in the northwest of the Blue Ridge and 
south of the Potomac, they proceeded to 
York county, Pennsylvania, in which and 
its vicinity a number of meetings are noted, 
in places where it is believed few Friends 
are now located. The condition of Eastern 
Pennsylvania at that time, compared with 
what it is now, is intimated by the fact 
that in their journey from Lancaster to 
Philadelphia they were furnished with a 
guide. In this city they were accommo- 
dated at a long-known seat of hospitality, 
where the messengers of the gospel received 
a cordial welcome, — the house of Isaac 
Zane."^ 



■^ The hospitality of this house was not by any means 
confined to ministering Friends^ or Friends of any de- 



54 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Prom Philadelplaia tliey passed, through 
New Jersey and New York, to the country 
now composing the Eastern States; and, 
from some remarks as they passed among 
the Presbyterians in that section of the 
country, it may be inferred that the anti- 
pathy to our Society, which has so fre- 
quently been noted as existing during a 
preceding age, had then nearly if not 
totally passed awa3^ 

During this journey we find numerous 
instances of religious visits to persons who, 
from age or infirmity, were in great mea- 
sure cut ofi* from the usual intercourse of 
society. These visits appear to have been 
satisfactory to the visitors, and no doubt 
were strengthening and consolatory to those 
who were visited. 

At a large meeting in the neighbourhood 



scription. It was the home of the native Indian who 
visited the city, particularly if he came on a mission of 
peace. 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 65 

of Narragansett Bay, he says, " Thougli we 
had little to say, yet Adam in Paradise 
scaT^cely enjoyed a greater felicity than I did 
at this time, being brought to an heavenly 
place in Christ Jesus, where I beheld the 
brightness of God's glory in the beauty of 
holiness." "After meeting," he added, 
"many Friends went to our lodging, where 
the Father's love was like the refreshing 
dew spread abroad on the tender grass. We 
parted from them in much love and affec- 
tionate nearness." 

Having proceeded eastward as far as 
Berwick, in what is now the State of Maine, 
they addressed the following epistle to the 
Monthly Meeting of Friends at Casco Bay 
and Mariconee : — 

" We, being drawn, in the love and beauty 
of gospel good- will, to visit the churches in 
this land, had some thought of coming to 
you, but think ourselves clear, yet are free 
to visit you with a few lines, earnestly be- 
seeching you to stand fast in that faith 



56 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

which was given to the saints, that you 
may grow up together in the perfect bond 
of true love, knit and united in that fellow- 
ship which is with God, in Christ Jesus our 
Lord. 

"And, dear Friends, if there be any 
among you who have received the holy 
anointing as ministers and elders, we ear- 
nestly exhort all such that they look well to 
their standing, taking due heed to the gift 
received, waiting in deep silence till the 
Lamb comes from the throne to loose the 
seals of the book of life. So shall you 
witness the mystery of the holy kingdom 
discovered in the bright appearance of 
God's glory. 

" Our minds are feelingly baptized into 
death and suffering through this land, occa- 
sioned, we think, by the foremost rank not 
keeping their first love chaste and pure, 
duly waiting to feel their minds seasoned 
with the salt and virtue of the power of an 
endless life, whereby they would grow from 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 57 

one degree of knowledge and experience to 
another, able to endure hardness for the 
name and cause of truth. 

"Our spirits fervently breathe to the 
Fountain and Source of all good for you, 
though unknown, that you may grow as 
God's peculiar heritage, like Mount Zion, 
which is never to be removed, but is to in- 
herit holiness forever. In this state you 
will shine as bright stars in the firmament 
of God's power, giving an illustrious light 
in that remote and dark corner of the 
earth. 

"And, dearly beloved Friends, we fur- 
ther entreat you carefully to watch over one 
another for good, sincerely seeking after an 
humble, reverent, weighty sense of truth, 
to possess your minds in all your meetings 
for worship and discipline ; so will you be 
preserved out of all undue heats and pas- 
sions, with every thing that would interrupt 
the true peace and harmony of the church. 
And once more we afiectionately address 



58 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

all who are concerned in the ministry, that 
they carefully wait to know the word of the 
Lord to be as a fire in their hearts, shut up 
in their bones ; then shall they stand as the 
mouth of God, and speak as his oracle. 

"We sorrowfully apprehend the church 
in many places sustains great loss for want 
of ministers and elders being rightly bap- 
tized into the pure life, from whence they 
would bring forth the beautiful treasures of 
God's house to the household, feeding his 
flock with his doctrine that drops as the 
dew, and his speech as the small rain. 

" And, dear youth, we eflectually feel the 
continuing spring of infinite love to reach 
even unto you, to invite you to draw near 
to the house of the Lord, where you may 
witness the turning of his hand, preparing 
in you burnt-offerings and sacrifices, until 
he hath redeemed you through the spirit of 
judgment and burning. Then will you be- 
come joyful in the house of prayer, and 
fruitful in the field of offerings ; and he, the 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 59 

Lord of Hosts, will deck you with the orna- 
ment of his own Spirit, giving you his seal 
and the Lamb's mark, whereby yon will 
rise up in the dread and might of his 
power, to ride upon the high places of the 
earth, over the earthly mind, which still 
rules in the children of disobedience. 

" Our spirits unite in a feeling of sym- 
pathy and cordial spring of pure love 
toward all the sheep and lambs of our 
Father's fold, much desiring that they may 
not faint or be discouraged in their minds 
at the approaching trials, or temptations of 
any kind, with clouds or glooms of dark- 
ness. As said the royal Psalmist, ' Though 
I walk through the valley and shadow of 
death, the Lord is on my right hand : I will 
fear no evil.' If you choose the Lord for 
your portion, his promises are yea and 
amen forever. And for the cry of the poor 
and needy he will surely arise. Therefore, 
the language of the spirit in our minds, 
unto all such as are seeking the city of 



60 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

foundations, is, to look diligently, with an 
inward eye, through and over all things 
which are behind in this world ; with fer- 
vent zeal and becoming resolution, press 
after the Prince and Captain of Salvation. 

" Thus, dear Friends, having briefly com- 
municated what came before us on your 
account, we engage each of you to exert 
yourselves according to the gift received, 
and take charge of God's glory ; in whose 
love, and fellowship of the gospel of his 
dear Son, we tenderly salute every sincere 
mind. 

" Your friends and brethren, 

"Zach ARIAS Dicks, 
"William Hunt." 

This epistle is in the MS. without date, 
but it must have been written toward the 
close of the summer, 1767, for we soon 
afterward find them proceeding to Phila- 
delphia, and attending the Yearly Meeting 
there, which was then held near the end of 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 61 

the ninth month. That meeting, we are 
told, "was large, and favoured with a de- 
gree of gospel fellowship, in the nnion ol 
which Friends transacted their business in 
much calmness and condescension." 

At the close of that meeting, Zacharias 
Dicks feeling at liberty to return home, he 
was furnished with a certificate from the 
meeting of ministers and elders, expressive 
of their unity with his visit, ministry, and 
conversation ; and Thomas Thornburgh, 
nephew to William Hunt, and member of 
the New Garden Monthly Meeting, N'orth 
Carolina, having attended the Yearly Meet- 
ing, became the companion of his uncle 
during the remainder of the journey. 

Though William Hunt appears to have 
already paid a general visit to Friends in 
New England, yet, feeling anew the spring 
of gospel love toward them, he and his 
companion set out from Philadelphia a few 
days after the close of the Yearly Meeting, 
and, passing through some parts of New 



62 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

York, and attending the meetings there, 
they, on the last day of the tenth month, 
landed on the island of Nantucket, where 
they were gladly received by those valuable 
Friends, William Rotch and his wife. 

This seems to have been a place of re- 
markable exercise to William Hunt; for, 
of the seven meetings which he attended 
during the nine days he was there, the first 
four, he says, he " sat under a cloud of 
thick darkness, in which he felt the mystery 
of iniquity work in a wonderful manner; 
after which the Lord, in everlasting kind- 
ness to his pained children, was pleased to 
raise the seed of Zion and exalt her horn 
in the midst of her enemies, so that we 
had many comfortable meetings, and our 
hearts were much broken and sweetly 
united/' 

They visited this island a third time, at 
the last of which he testifies, " The Lord of 
all our mercies gave us the seal of his living 
presence, to our confirmation and consola- 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 63 

tion, in the holy union of true fellowship, 
as indeed many were the precious seasons I 
had on this island, although wrong things 
had much prevailed, and the accuser of the 
brethren had sown the cruel seed of discord 
to the wounding of many. Yet a remnant 
remain, who are earnestly pressing to get 
from under the cloud into the perfect 
liberty of the sons of Grod." 

His concern, at the time of his third visit, 
was chiefly to the ministers and elders, 
most of whom he visited in their families, 
accompanied by William Rotch, and after- 
ward obtained a meeting with them, which 
he sat in silence, as he did the public meet- 
ing on first-day. Having thus given them 
an example which proved that his time of 
speaking was not always ready, he re- 
quested another meeting of the ministers — 
nothing being here said of elders — and 
therein delivered a close, searching testi- 
mony, pointing out the danger of nourish- 
ing wrong births, by handing forth food not 



64 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

duly seasoned with heavenly salt and con- 
secrated by the living word; telling them 
this kind of preaching brought pain and 
death to the true birth, whose begettings 
were in the holy seed and spring of life. 
Soon after this, feeling himself clear, they 
proceeded to the continent, and, after pass- 
ing through some parts of Massachusetts, — 
where, at a number of meetings, he says, 
" The Lord Almighty was near to open the 
great mystery of iniquity, and gave ability 
to detect it in its several branches," — they 
came to the Quarterly Meeting at Newport, 
on Rhode Island, in the beginning of 1768. 
Here, he says, his mind was deeply con- 
cerned to press friends to the maintenance 
of good order and discipline, in the meek- 
ness and wisdom of truth. 

Here we find this devoted servant en- 
gaging in the blessed oflSce of a peace- 
maker. A difference having arisen among 
Friends respecting the right to some lands, 
it had long existed, and appeared likely to 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 65 

lead to disastrous consequences. Some 
Friends being engaged in an effort to com- 
pose this difference, "William Hunt was con- 
cerned to unite with them. The parties 
being convened at ten in the morning, a 
protracted debate, running some time into 
the night, ensued, when an adjustment was 
ultimately effected, and the agreement re- 
duced to writing, greatly to the satisfaction 
of Friends. What agency William Hunt 
had in procuring this happy result is not 
stated ; but there can be no doubt that the 
presence of a man so clothed with the spirit 
of meekness and restoring love must have 
exercised a powerful influence in restrain- 
ing the ebullitions of passion which real or 
fancied interests are apt to excite. While 
returning to their own residence, few events 
of particular interest appear to have oc- 
curred. In passing through York county, 
Pennsylvania, he mentions meeting with 
Ann Moore, whom he styles his ancient 
friend and mother in the truth, who was 



66 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

instrumental in gathering him to God, and 
the saving knowledge of his truth. They 
were, he says, " exceedingly glad to see 
each other, being refreshed in the Lord by 
the feeling of his presence, which is the life 
of his people.'* 

This Friend, of whom I find no further 
account, was probably a minister, who 
visited the neighbourhood where William 
Hunt resided in his childhood, and contri- 
buted, by her ministry, to give a direction 
to his course from which he never after- 
ward deviated. To a man who had so 
fully and livingly witnessed the excellency 
of the w^ay into which he had been thus led, 
the instrument of his conversion could 
scarcely be regarded with less than filial 
attachment. And yet this same friend had 
probably extended equal labour to thou- 
sands who, having never embraced the in- 
vitations of Divine love which she was 
commissioned to oiFer, would feel toward 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 67 

her nothing more than a cold and distant 
respect. 

It is only those who have embraced the 
offers of redeeming love that can fully 
understand how beautiful on the moun- 
tains are the feet of him that bringeth good 
tidings, that publisheth peace, that bringeth 
good tidings of good ; that publisheth sal- 
vation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God 
reign eth. 

Having travelled by water and land, — 
after being joined by Thomas Thornburgh, 
— according to estimation, something more 
than two thousand five hundred miles, he 
was favoured with a safe and peaceful 
return to his family in North Carolina, 
under a belief that he had performed his 
duty. 

The last-mentioned journey was accom- 
plished within the years 1767 and 1768. A 
little more than two j^ears was allowed to 
him in the enjoyment of domestic life be- 
fore he was again engaged in a gospel mis- 



68 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

sion more extensive than any in which he 
had been previously employed, and from 
which he was not permitted to return again 
to his family and friends. 

It appears that a concern to visit the 
churches in Europe had been, during a 
number of years, pressing with increasing 
weight on his mind. " After many deep 
and unspeakable baptisms and close ex- 
ercises on that account," he gave up to the 
prospect, and acquainted his friends at 
home with his concern, and received from 
them the testimonials of their concurrence, 
which the order of the Society required. 
His nephew, Thomas Thornburgh, then a 
young man, who had some times appeared 
in the ministry, and who had borne him 
company through the latter part of his pre- 
vious journey, consented to become his 
companion in this more extensive and 
probably more deeply exercising engage- 
ment. 

In the tenth month, 1770, they left the 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 69 

habitation of William Hunt, at New Gar- 
den, Is'orth Carolina, having the company 
of many Friends and relations, who were 
proceeding with them to their Yearly 
Meeting in Perquimans county. That 
meeting being over, they paid a visit to 
Thomas Nicholson, an experienced minis- 
ter, who had himself been engaged in a 
gospel mission similar to that in which they 
were about to embark ; and they found his 
account of his travels in Great Britain very 
interesting and instructive. Though we 
find in the narrative before us no intima- 
tion of an apprehension on the part of 
William Hunt that he was about to take a 
final leave of North Carolina, yet his en- 
gagements plainly indicate his desire to 
leave no debt of religious service among his 
friends there unpaid. About ten days were 
employed in visits to ancient Friends, and 
to the meetings in that neighbourhood, 
after which they passed into Virginia, and, 
having attended numerous meetings in that 



70 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

province and in Maryland, they proceeded, 
by way of York, in Pennsylvania, to Phila- 
delphia. From the number of meetings 
which are noted in the narrative, and their 
known localities, it plainly appears that, 
although the churches in Europe were the 
great object of the concern, it was by no 
means peculiar to them ; but that con- 
siderable time was occupied, and no trivial 
amount of labour endured, in the accom- 
plishment of these visits, which would have 
been unnecessary in case they had desired 
to reach their port of embarkation with the 
least expense of labour and time. In this 
part of their journey, we several times meet 
with the humble acknowledgment of sea- 
sons in which they were favoured with the 
consoling and refreshing presence of the 
blessed Head of the Church, opening at 
times the heavenly mysteries in his wisdom 
and power, to the edification and joy of the 
faithful; and to him alone the praise is 
ascribed. 



MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUNT. 71 

About ten days were diligently employed 
in Philadelphia and its vicinity in visiting 
the sick, and in the attendance of meetings ; 
and, having had ^'many humbling and 
confirming seasons there in the service of 
their Lord and Master," they crossed the 
Delaware into New Jersey, having the com- 
pany of Israel and John Pemberton, two 
Friends who had long held a conspicuous 
place among the worthies of their day. 
Proceeding southwardly, they visited the 
meetings of Friends in the vicinity of the 
river and bay of Delaware, and along the 
sea-coast of Plainfield, and thence to New 
York. Their gospel labours in New Jersey, 
and at the few meetings which they at- 
tended within the limits of New York, ap- 
pear to have been satisfactory to them- 
selves and at times attended with much 
enlargement in relation to the doctrines of 
life and salvation. 

The island of Nantucket seemed, in this 
as in the former journey, to have been u 



72 MEMOIRS OF WILLIxiM HUNT. 

particular object of concern ; for after pass- 
ing througli New York and Connecticut, 
with very little detention on the road, 
to Newport, Rhode Island, and spending 
about ten days there, to the mutual com- 
fort and encouragement of themselves and 
their friends, they embarked for that island. 
There they remained more than three 
weeks, diligently labouring in the work of 
the gospel, and, after the example of the 
apostle, teaching them in their public 
assemblies, and from house to house. 

When they felt clear of Nantucket, they 
returned to Rhode Island: thence, after 
being a few days there, they proceeded to 
some meetings in the interior of New York, 
where, he says, ''the Lord was pleased to 
manifest the glory of his power, and open 
the mystery of his pure truth to the renown 
of his own name." 

From New York they passed through 
New Jersey, and, without any great devia- 
tion from a direct road, arrived at Phila- 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 73 

clelphia in time to attend the General Meet- 
ing of Ministers and Elders, which was 
then held there in the spring, and where 
Friends from most parts of Pennsylvania 
and New Jersey, as well as from Delaware 
and the Eastern Shore of Maryland, were 
assembled, and where, he says, "they were 
refreshed one in another, through the 
presence of Him who lives forever." As 
that meeting — which was continued until 
the year 1799, when the time of holding 
the Yearly Meeting was changed from the 
ninth to the fourth month — was held in 
the third month, it appears that the labours 
thus far briefly noticed occupied William 
Hunt and his companion throughout the 
winter of 1770-71. 

The time between the close of the General 
Meeting just referred to and the beginning 
of the fifth month was chiefly employed in 
visiting the meetings on both sides of the 
Delaware which were located at no great 
distance from Philadelphia. Among the 



74 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Friends thus visited, William Hunt had a 
number of relatives in New Jersey, and the 
meetings with them, he says, " were very 
comfortable, being seasoned with the sa- 
voury salt and pure seed of life, in the 
sense whereof we parted in great tender- 
ness." The names of the relatives here 
alluded to are not mentioned; but as John 
Woolman was a first-cousin to William 
Hunt, was then living a few miles from 
Philadelphia, and about a j^ear after that 
time embarked for Europe on a similar ser- 
vice, we may reasonably suppose that he 
was one of the number, and that the parting 
of such congenial spirits would, under exist- 
ing circumstances, be particularly^ tender. 

On the 4th of the fifth month, 1771, they 
went, at Chester, fifteen miles below Phila- 
delphia, on board the ship Mary and Eliza- 
beth, of which James Sparks* was master. 

^ This appears to have been the same vessel and cap- 
tain that carried John Woolman and Samuel Emlen across 
the Atlantic in the fifth month, 1772. 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 75 

A number of Friends accompanying them 
to the ship, they had a solemn meeting 
there, at the close of which they parted in 
the love of the gospel. 

In twenty-four hours they were out of 
the capes, and at the end of twenty-seven 
days from the time of leaving Philadelphia 
they were safely landed at London. From 
these dates it appears that the Yearly Meet- 
ing was just over when they arrived. A few 
days having been spent in London, onr 
friends proceeded — taking a number of 
meetings in their way — to the city of 
York. Atone of these, we are told, many 
Methodists coming in, they were " led to 
instruct them by silence that the gospel 
ministry is not of man, nor by the will of 
man." 

At York, we are informed, there " was a 
large Quarterly Meeting of plain, solid 
Friends, many of whom were feelingly 
gathered in the name and power of truth, 
and became zealouslv concerned for the 



76 MEMOIRS or WILLIAM HUNT. 

support of the discipline and gospel order. 
The meeting was owned by the presence of 
the Great I AM, the Saviour of his people. 
It concluded in sweet praise to the holy 
name, and Friends parted in much love 
and unity, strengthened by their comiug 
together.'' Through a portion of their 
journey southward from York they had 
the interesting company of that mother in 
Israel, Esther Tuke, who was then engaged 
in a visit to Newcastle and the northern 
counties. Near Pardshaw, where a large 
meeting was then held, we find them 
strengthened and refreshed by the company 
of two female ministers, Hannah Harris and 

her companion, Wilkinson, who had 

visited America in the service of the gospel. 
The former is spoken of as a woman of 
deep experience, with a large and lively 
gift in the ministry. Of these worthies 
little is probably now known ; but of them 
and many others, "whose names have 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 77 

perished from the earth/' we may humbly 
trust that their record is on high. 

The journey which was accomplished 
through the northern counties of England, 
and some parts of Scotland, though at- 
tended with the exercises which usually 
appertain to such engagements, was not 
marked by many incidents which would be 
interesting to readers of the present day. 
At the time of this visit, the Society of 
Friends appears to have been greatly re- 
duced in Scotland ; yet there were some 
who were glad to see these gospel messen- 
gers. At Urie, the ancient seat of the 
Barclay family, they lodged with Robert 
Barclay, the great-grandson of the Apolo- 
gist, by whom they were kindly enter- 
tained.* 



^ When Richard Jordan paid a religious visit to Europe 
about the beginning of the passing century, he was led in 
the course of his travels to this place, and found the 
ancient residence of the Apologist in possession of a young 



78 MEMOIKS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Yorkshire appears to have been a great 
field of labour to them ; for they ^' visited 
that county throughout, being at upward 
of seventy meetings ; and though we had/' 
says he, *' many painful exercising seasons, 
yet the Lord, in his wonted goodness, was 
graciously pleased to help us, and to give 
many comfortable opportunities, to the re- 
freshing of our minds and the strengthen- 
ing of his people.'' Thej^ twice attended 
the Quarterly Meeting of Lancashire, and, 
proceeding to Liverpool, in order to em- 
bark for L^eland, attended the meetings 

man, one of his descendants, of the name of Robert Bar- 
clay. Though this young man made no profession with 
Friends, he still cherished the memory and preserved 
many relics of his worthy ancestor. Richard Jordan was 
hospitably received by him, and was favoured with an im- 
pressive religious opportunity, in which his youthful host 
was greatly tendered, and melted into tears. I heard 
Richard Jordan relate the circumstance. After the oppor- 
tunity was past, some one who had been present intimated 
an apprehension that the spirit of Robert Barclay, the 
Apologist, was hovering over them. 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 79 

there, at one of which William Hunt men- 
tions, ''Tne Lord was pleased to give us 
a blessed earnest of his love, power, and 
presence, that should accompany us into 
Ireland." 

A passage of twenty-six hours trans- 
ported them across the Irish Sea to Dublin. 
After visiting many parts of Ireland, appa- 
rently all where meetings of Friends were 
established, their labours on that island 
were closed at Dublin, where they began. 
At the national meeting, which was very 
large, we are told, '^ to the praise of Israel's 
Shepherd, who never fails to stretch forth a 
hand to help those that seek him aright, the 
many sittings for worship and discipline 
were evidently favoured with the owning 
power and presence of truth, wherein the 
minds of engaged Friends were much en- 
larged in wisdom and heavenly knowledge, 
to communicate sundry weighty advices, 
both to men's and women's meetings, re- 
commending closely to them their taking 



80 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

charge of God's glory and truth's testi- 
mony in the several quarters of that king- 
dom." 

Having had many strengthening and con - 
firming seasons, they parted with their 
Friends ''in the love of the pure mystery 
shed abroad in their hearts." At a First- 
day Meeting previous to their embarkation 
he says, ''The Lord granted the additional 
seal of his sweetening presence to accom- 
pany their spirits." A comfortable voyage 
of forty-eight hours, in which the passen- 
gers, twelve in number, were all Friends, 
some of whom were going to attend the 
Yearly Meeting in London, brought them 
safely to Liverpool, for which favour the 
writer of the narrative expresses his grate- 
ful acknowledgment to the Preserver of 
men, 

Nearly a year must then have been passed 
on the British islands, for we find them soon 
afterward repairing to London to attend 
the Yearly Meeting there, where they had 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 81 

the satisfaction to meet not only with many 
of their English Friends from town and 
country, who were rejoiced to see them, 
but also with a number of American minis- 
ters, who were engaged in visits to the 
churches there. Among these we find 
the names of Sarab and Deborah Morris 
and John "Woolman. "We were," says 
he, '' truly glad and comforted one in 
another." 

The Yearly Meeting at London, we are 
told, " was large, and much favoured with 
the owning power and presence of truth, 
wherein they were enabled to transact the 
weighty affairs of the church to their 
mutual edification, comfort, and strengthen- 
ing one of another." 

A little more than two months elapsed 
between the close of the Yearly Meeting 
and the attack of the fatal disease which 
consigned William Hunt to the house ap- 
pointed for all living; and the very brief 
memoirs that remain sufficiently show that 



82 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

this interval was industriously occupied, 
partly in England and partly in the Low 
Countries on the continent. When reading 
this memoir, .and observing the frequent 
evidence of the deep feeling of dependence 
upon the openings and leading of the true 
light, and of an active and ardent piety 
which it exhibits, we can hardly fail to re- 
gret that so little was written or preserved. 
William Hunt plainly appears to have been 
one of those who performed the labours of 
a long life in a few years ; and although, 
according to human estimation, he seems 
to have been cut off in the flower of his 
days, he was gathered in his season as one 
fully ripe. 



LETTERS^ 

OF 

WILLIAM HUNT 

TO VARIOUS INDIVIDUALS. 



TO UEIAH WOOLMAN. 

KiRKLINGTON IN CUMBERLAND, > 

8th mo. 7th, 1771. J 

My dear and truly united relation, — It is 
with great pleasure and sweetness of mind 
I put pen to paper in order to convey the 
intelligence that we are yet in the land of 
the living. Though trying dispensations 
and proving seasons are often the portion 
of our allotment, assigned by the great 
Father, yet he hath not left us altogether in 
oblivion, but hath hitherto brought up the 
life out of every horrible pit and lonesome 
spot to rejoice in his holy name, and to 
sing praises as before the cherubims of 



84 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

glory ; who had no might to deliver or 
strength to bring forth, but in him with 
whom riches and wisdom, skill and under- 
standing, still remain ; and his hand, being 
full of blessings, is yet open to his depend- 
ing children. With deep thankfulness, 
reverence, and fear, in an humbling sense 
of his goodness, all that lives and moves 
within me of the immortal union says 
hallelujah ! glory and renown to his worthy 
name who rules in the kingdom of heaven, 
and hath not forsaken the children of men. 
Hosanna to him and the Lamb forever. 
Amen. 

Most inwardly beloved friend and cousin, 
it is with feeling affection I very nearly 
salute thee, with thy dear wife, and fer- 
vently desire that the God of truth and 
perfect wisdom may ever be near to prepare 
your way, and sanctify yonr stepping along 
through the shady vale of probation, keep- 
ing the mind under an holy watchful sense, 
and pressing after the prevalence of pure 
truth, wherein is safe dwelling, and a quiet 
habitation to the weary soul in every day 
of trouble. Oh, saith my soul, that thou, 
bone of my bone, in a twofold relation, to 



CORRESPONDENCE. 85 

whom my life is very nearly gathered, in 
the heavenly mystery and union of gospel 
fellowship, not easy to describe in language 
with pen and ink; but we read: ''The 
Spirit searcheth out the deep things;" yea, 
ever since mine eye saw I loved thee with a 
pure and undefiled love. Thou hast been 
as my brothers, — as though twins in one 
and the same family, receiving nourishment 
from one breast. That thou mayest per- 
severe in the way of truth and increase in 
righteousness, is my ardent petition to the 
Fountain of pure help. We are, through 
merciful regard, favoured with tolerable 
health; we pursue our journey with great 
diligence, and are now just ready to enter 
Scotland. If life should be continued, we 
may in succeeding time give thee a further 
account of our progress in this strange land. 
In the mean time I remain, with sincere 
regard, thy affectionate friend and cousin, 

Wm. Hunt. 



86 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

TO THE SAME. 

Liverpool, 1st mo. 11th, 1772. 
It is with feeling nearness and uniting 
regard I now salute my dearly beloved 
cousin, letting him know that, through 
merciful regard, we are favoured with 
health, and have made a considerable pro- 
gress in this nation. I received two very 
agreeable letters from thee, one dated in 
the fifth month and the other in the tenth. 
The real satisfaction and comfort they gave 
- me, none but a second self can judge. The 
cordial notes of true friendship in the union 
of soul, from feeling connections expressed, 
were truly satisfactory. And, dear cousin, 
though we have many weary steps and soli- 
tary moments, deep wadings and close 
exercises in our pilgrimage through this 
land, yet being nearly united, and my com- 
panion very affectionate, respectful, and 
kind, makes it much easier. May we, dear 
cousin, dwell deep in the pure root from 
whence all our fresh springs arise, and 
w4iere the fountain of livins; water is 
known, that our habitation may flourish, 
the true Shepherd of Israel delighting to 



CORRESPONDENCE. 87 

bring us to the fold where we may feed on 
heavenly bread, and lie down under the 
shadow of his wing with true delight, know- 
ing him to be the staff and stay of our 
minds, where we may not only pass over 
Jordan, and wrestle for the blessing, but 
make war against the spirit of this world 
and the deceitfulness thereof, which is hid 
in the mystery of iniquity, to betray the 
seed of life, and lull the mind into a de- 
ceitful peace ; to withhold the joy of salva- 
tion from our souls, and to prevent the Sun 
of Righteousness from rising with healing 
balm to all our wounds. Very amiable is 
the beauty of that fellowship and oneness 
which I feel to thee ; may it ever tend to 
sink our minds deeper to the original 
source from whence it receives its being: 
then shall the cords of our unity grow 
stronger and stronger, until the winding-up 
of our probation here, and our arrival at 
the desired port, to partake of the full frui- 
tion with cemented spirits made perfect by 
faith in the promises. 

Sweet is often the revival in my memory 
of the many precious and pleasant moments 
we have had together from our youth. 



88 MEMOIRS or WILLIAM HUNT. 

With united regard to tliy wife, I remain, 
affectionately, thine in the love of the truth. 

"Wm. Hunt. 

to the same. 

Colchester, 6th mo. 25th, 1772. 

Truly united cousin, — In the continued 
feeling of true brotherly regard, in the 
heavenly relation of the inner man, accord- 
ing to the tender mercies of our God, I 
salute thee, and inform thee that we are in 
health. I received thy very acceptable 
letter of the third month, which ministered 
humbling satisfaction to my mind in the 
sense of the aboundings of that union which 
is pure. We parted with dear cousin John 
two days since,* who then was as well as 
usual. He has great and acceptable service 
here. The singularity of his appearance is 
not only strange, but very exercising to 
many valuable Friends who have had 
several opportunities of conference with 
him. The purity of his ministry gains 



* Meaning, no doubt, John Woolman, who had then re- 
cently arrived in England. 



C0RRESP0NJ5ENCE. 89 

universal approbation. I hope he stands 
on that foundation which will bear him 
through all. He is now going toward 
Yorkshire, and we are bending for Nor- 
wichj in company with Sarah and Deborah 
Morris. Since I wrote to thee from Liver- 
pool, in the first month, we have been 
through England, which was a laborious 
exercising journey; but Divine help was 
near to support, and enabled us to pass 
through many trying dispensations ; blessed 
be His holy name who is worthy to have 
the first fruit of all our labours. We now 
propose, if the Lord opens the way accord- 
ing to present prospects, shortly to embark 
for Holland. Thus I give thee a short hint 
of our stepping along. I shall always re- 
joice to hear from thee if well, and to sym- 
pathize with thee if otherwise, as my life is 
so much wrapt up in that harmonious 
sweetness of which we so often partook, 
that neither length of time nor separation 
of our little frames in the least abates its 
circulation; but with renewed satisfaction 
I remember the pleasant moments we have 
enjoyed together. Please to give my love 



90 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

to thy dear wife and all our relations. In 
affectionate nearness, thy loving cousin, 

Wm. Hunt. 

to the same. 

Rotterdam, 8th mo. 7th, 1772. 

In a renewed sense of that goodness 
under whose sweetening influence we have 
had many gracious united seasons, I dearly 
salute thee, and inform thee that, through 
Divine regard, we are in health. About 
ten days ago we embarked for Holland, had 
a good passage to Amsterdam, where we 
stayed some days, and then came to this 
place. The number of Friends in this land 
is but small ; yet a few there are who re- 
ceived us gladly, to whom I trust our 
labour of love in the ministry of the gospel 
will be profitable and strengthening. 

Beloved cousin, as thou art often a sub- 
ject of my solid remembrance, with true 
desire that thou mayest experience the dew 
of heaven to refresh the little plant of re- 
nown, I thought it might be acceptable to 
hear from us that the Shepherd of Israel is 
still near wherever his voice in wisdom 
directs our feet; blessed be his gracious 



CORRESPONDENCE. 91 

name. Mayest tliou attend to it, to the 
laying of a good foundation against the 
time to come, when all sublunary good 
shall disappear. This is indeed the crown 
of all our labours, that when he shall appear 
we may be like him, fit for the Father's 
mansion. Let not the perishing things of 
this world deprive us of so great a weight 
of glory. I expect our stay here will not be 
long, and may let thee know further in due 
time. S. Emlen, who is now with us, and 
my dear companion, join in love to thee 
and thy wife. In haste, and with affec- 
tionate nearness, thy sincere friend and 
cousin in every distant land. 

Wm. Hunt. 

Amsterdam, 8tli mo. 18th, 1772. 

My dearly beloved relations :* — In a fresh 
sense of that goodness which everywhere 
brings the whole family of obedient chil- 

^ The four preceding letters appear to have been ad- 
dressed to Uriah Woolman ; but the present one was evi- 
dently designed for two or more relations, of whom, pos- 
sibly, Uriah Woolman may have been one ; but I find 
nothing in the letter or its address which indicates who 
those relations were. 



92 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

dren into one spirit and communion ot 
life, wherein they rejoice with exceeding 
joy one in another, whether absent or pre- 
sent in the little frames of declining clay ; 
in this pure life they are fed and their souls 
nourished by the supplies of the fresh 
springs : being fitly framed in mind, they 
become God's building, formed throughout 
after his image, in righteousness, purity, 
faith, patience, hope, and charity, which is 
the end of the commandments. Out of a 
pure mind I nearly salute you, and inform 
that we are all well. I wrote of our inten- 
tion of coming to Holland, soon after which 
we embarked with Samuel Emlen, who 
stayed in Holland about seven days, and then 
returned for England. At our first coming 
it seemed to be my business to example 
the people to silence, a practice with which 
many under our name, as well as others, 
are too little acquainted, and so miss the 
advantage arising from the worship in spirit 
and in truth, which only is and can be pro- 
fitable. After we had passed through that 
dispensation of silence, which continued in 
this city for five meetings, some of which 
wrere very large, being attended by other 



CORRESPONDENCE. 93 

people, the Lord graciously opened the 
spring of true ministry, and enabled us to 
speak of those things which appertain to 
his kingdom; blessed be His worthy name 
who is still the sufficiency of his depending 
ones who lean upon him. There is a sober, 
seeking people in this land, though not 
gathered to us as a people, with whom we 
had many comfortable seasons in meetings 
and in families. We are this day intending 
to take shij)ping for England. I have sent 
a letter for my dear wife,"^ &c. I conclude, 
your affectionate friend and cousin, 

Wm. Hunt. 



■^ It is an affecting consideration that this letter to his 
beloved wife cannot have reached her until some time 
after he was consigned to the grave. Residing as she did 
in the interior of North Carolina, several weeks must have 
been required to convey a letter from Amsterdam to her 
place of abode ; and, as he died about three weeks after 
the date of the above letter, it is not improbable that this 
communication — certainly one of the last he ever addressed 
to her — may have been received at the same time with the 
mournful intelligence that she would see him no more m 
mutability. (See page 160.) 



94 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

TO ZACHARIAS DICKS. 

The following letter appears without 
date, but as the Friend to whom it waa 
addressed bore William Hunt company in 
the year 1767, through a considerable part 
of his visit to the Middle and Eastern pro- 
vinces, now States, it may be supposed 
that it was written some time prior to that 
journey. The allusion to him as a com- 
panion probably relates to some minor ser- 
vices of which no record appears in the 
MS. volume. 

Dear friend Zacharias Dicks : — Not hav- 
ing opportunity to converse, I send this 
little ambassador to convey some fruit I 
lately got from the holy land, a little spike- 
nard and myrrh, the choice spices with 
which our Lord was anointed before he 
passed through that painful dispensation of 
suffering. 

My mind hath been in a true calm and 
quiet for some days, free from tempest or 
tossing of any kind, so that I was ready to 
conclude that I should have no more to do 
than sometimes to eat this pleasant fruit, 
and drink of the well that stands in the 



CORRESPONDENCE. 95 

midst of the court of God. But as I was 
thus musing with deep admiration, and 
humble adoration to the great name that 
had freed me from all my great and sore 
trials, which, the Lord only knows, were 
many and grievous to bear, I thought 1 
spied a little opening like that which thou 
knowest lies under the threshold of the 
house of God, and it ran toward the south, 
and pointed toward the north, like the 
glancing of a candle by a glass window, 
that some of these fruits must be conveyed 
to those inhabitants ; and as thou art a 
choice companion to me of God, in the 
moving of that endeared goodwill which 
had subsisted between us from the begin- 
fling, I give the hint, to the end that thou 
mayest keep steady under the preparing 
hand, that when the full time comes thou 
mayest be ready to gird on the instrument 
of war, and appear as a soldier well dis- 
ciplined therein. I am at all times thy 
assured friend, Wm. Hunt. 

In the MS. volume, to which allusion has 
been several times made, we find the sub- 
joined notice of a testimony delivered on 



96 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

the 18th of second month, 1770, at a First- 
day meeting in North Carolina. The date 
of this communication, we may observe, 
was a few j^ears prior to the Revolutionary 
War; and there can be little doubt that 
numbers of those who were then present 
were witnesses about ten years afterwards 
to the destructive operations of the con- 
tending armies. 

" William Hunt, in his testimony, which 
was very extensive, at that time, after ear- 
nestly exhorting us individually to examine 
our foundation whereon we had built, or 
were building, in urging the necessity of 
such an examination, used the following 
expressions : — ^ The Lord will visit this land 
with his judgments, and then it will be 
known who hath built on the sure founda- 
tion and who hath not ; for in that time of 
deep trial the hypocrites, formalists, and 
nominal Quakers will not only suffer, but 
many will perish and come to naught, 
while those who have built on the sure 
Rock of Ages will be preserved by him in 
the midst of those trials as in the hollow of 
his hand. And there are men grown, and 



CORRESPONDENCE. 97 

now within the audience of my voice, that 
will see these things come to pass.' '' 

The following letters were evidently 
written during the last journey, partly in 
America and partly in Europe. 

TO ELEAZAR HUNT. 
Philadelphia, 25th of 4th month, 1771. 

Dearly beloved brother: — By these thou 
mayest understand that we are favoured 
with a good state of health, after a laborious 
journey in a cold country.* And although 
our stay in this land has been much longer 
than I expected when I parted with thee, 
yet I dare not call in question the propriety 
of our stay being consistent with the Divine 
will, since I have had to believe that I have 
passed through some dispensations which, 
if rightly applied, will be of lasting ad- 
vantage, as preparatory for further service, 
having sometimes been favoured with the 
opening of the heavenly mysterj^ and glory 
of the gospel beyond what I ever had be- 



^ The winter of 1770-71 was chiefly occupied in visit- 
ing New England, the climate of which could not fail to be 
severely felt by an inhabitant of North Carolina. 
7 



98 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

fore. Yet I would rather speak of those 
things which are my constant companions, 
— poverty, weakness, distress, nakedness, 
the wormwood and the gall ; my soul hath 
them still in remembrance, and is deeply 
humbled, being mostly led in a close, plain 
way. Though there are a number that say 
amen to the truth, yet I think no age ever 
afforded an instance more clear of the true 
ministry being a spectacle to angels and 
to men than this. Our esteemed friends 
Samuel Neale and Joel Oxley came to this 
city about three days ago, and gave us a 
comfortable account of your state. 

Dear brother, my mind is often toward 
you in the love and beauty of gospel regard, 
with strong desires for your persevering by 
a gentle advancement in the heavenly 
march after the Lamb, keeping under that 
pure and holy sense through which we have 
often been baptized into one body, and be- 
come heirs of the true mystery where the 
treasures of wisdom remain, in the sense 
whereof my spirit is deeply bowed ; and in 
language of the sincerest affection I con- 
clude, and desire that we may be com- 
panions in the faith, tribulations, and 



CORRESPONDENCE. 99 

patience of Jesus our Holy Head. My very 
dear love to thy wife and all the children, 
and to Silas and Mary Williams. Thy 
brother, William Hunt. 

TO THE SAME. 

Dublin, 29tli of 4tli montli, 1772. 

Dear and well-beloved brother: — Though 
thy tedious silence has been a matter of 
uneasiness, and query what is the cause; 
since our interest in each other is twofold, 
having sprung from the same parentage, 
and been brought forth in the immortal 
seed, wherein is the union of spirits in the 
unction of pure love, we cannot but travail 
deeply for preservation ; and, as this ardent 
concern prevails, it is wont to impart cor- 
dial notes of encouragement, caution, or 
counsel, as the fresh spring shall open 
celestial converse in our minds. Yet the 
salutation of my very dear and united love 
often wafts over the great ocean to thee 
and all thine, with true desire that you may 
be gathered into the quiet habitations of 
safety, and that thou, beloved brother, 
mayest be kept green in old age by a 



100 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

continual supply of nourishment from the 
root. 

As for us, our portion is in deaths oft, 
and perils very many ; yet Divine help has 
been hitherto near to support and enable us 
to bear a plain testimony for truth, which I 
hope is to the satisfaction of the sincere in 
heart, who see the necessity thereof, the 
united help of whose spirits has been very 
consolatory in this strange land. Cousin 
Thomas joins in the salutation of endeared 
love to thee, thy wife, and all the children, 
with Silas and Mary. I conclude, in affec- 
tionate nearness, thy loving brother, 

Wm. Hunt. 

The subjoined letter, addressed to Rachel 
Mills and Sarah Thatcher, is without date, 
but, from some passages it contains, seems 
to have been written in the autumn of 
1770. 

It hath been often in my mind since I 
left my habitation to visit my dear friends 
and companions, letting them know how it 
fares with us. We have mostly enjoyed a 
good state of health ; and though many 



COKRESPONDEXCE. 101 

deep exercises attend us, yet we have liad 
many seals of the Divine owning power and 
presence, so as to confirm my mind that I 
was in the way that w^as well pleasing to 
the Master. May we ever be content to 
stand in our lots, and join in a holy con- 
cern to come up in perfect obedience to the 
pure will, so far as it is made known, that 
we may be counted worthy to be heirs of 
the mystery and fellowship of truth, and 
also receive the evidence of our eternal in- 
heritance. 

Dear friends, I very often remember with 
w^hat sweetness and unity we travelled in 
that mighty service of visiting families, so 
that we may say, in truth. Precious in the 
eyes of the Lord is the fellowship of his 
children, and sweet the remembrance one 
of another, because the odour of his oint- 
ment sendeth forth a good smell. 

We have not had many appointed meet- 
ings, but happen to fall in with preparative 
and Monthly Meetings. We are now on 
the way to Philadelphia, and from thence 
expect to proceed along the sea-shore 
through the Jerseys to New York, from 
thence to Rhode Island; and there we in- 



102 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

tend, if the Lord will, to embark so soon as 
it appears safe. I believe it will not be un- 
pleasant to you to hear that my companion 
proves very agreeable. He has severa. 
times appeared in the ministrj^, to my own 
and friends' good satisfaction. With the 
salutation of affectionate regard to you and 
your families, I am your friend, 

William Hunt. 

to thomas thornbuegh, sen. 

York, England, 6th mo. 27, 1771. 

Dearly beloved friend : — As a feeling of 
deep regard often revives thee very lively 
in memory, with a degree of that uniting 
sweetness which I had for thee from the 
beginning, in my very childish years, and 
which hath ever since accompanied our 
spirits through the different scenes of life, 
that have attended the little frame in the 
torrent of time ; I therein now (though in a 
far-distant and strange land) very feelingly 
and affectionately salute thee in the cement- 
ings of the pure seed of life, which still re- 
mains near to be our support through every 
trying dispensation, and which hath abun- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 103 

dantly opened our way in the glorious 
mystery of the gospel beyond my expecta- 
tion, for wliich, with every favour received, 
I desire to offer that acceptable sacrifice, — a 
broken heart and a bowed mind. 

Mayest thou, dear Thomas, with humbling 
concern, press after that holy sense"^ and 
savour of life wherein are safety, preserva- 
tion, and quiet dwelling. As to thy son, 
let it suffice he is well in the seed; we 
travel in true unity and perfect harmony, 
yet not without trials; but true love in 
the union of souls overcomes all, in that 
which feels beyond the expression of 
words. 

I shall draw to a conclusion in true sym- 
pathy, with desires that mercy and truth 
may be the vouchsafed companions of my 
friend till the curtain of eternal night may 
be drawn, the evening sun be set, and he 
bid adieu to the realms of woe and bitter- 
ness; but the nobler part ascend to its 
heavenly mansion, and the glory of its im- 
mortal inheritance. 

William Hunt. 



104 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

TO THE SAME. 

Lancashire, 5tli mo. 19, 1772 

Dearly united friend : — My love and life 
in the pure unchangeable truth salute thee, 
wherein my spirit has been enfolded in 
thine through many salutations ; yea, when 
the adversary determined to cut off thy 
hope from the land of the living, and sepa- 
rate thee from thy brethren in the mystery 
of faith and patience, when the powers of 
darkness wrought and were strong; then 
mine eye saw thee a prisoner of hope, and 
the strong arm of the Lord underneath, to 
bear thee above the floods of many afflic- 
tions ; and my soul loved thee and clave to 
thee in that day, because of thy distresses, 
and was gathered in the holy union of 
hidden life to thy afflicted mind. These 
things have often turned in my mind since 
I last saw thee, with sincere desires that 
thou mayest experience all those turnings 
sanctified to the preparing of our immortal 
salvation, for that part which hath sojourned 
through a series of probations before thou 
art numbered to thine appointed lot. I 
often remember thee with feeling nearness, 



CORRESPONDENCE. 105 

fancying myself enclosed in thy arms, 
according to thy wonted kindness and 
affection from my very childhood, which I 
trust always to remember with gratitude. 

Perhaps thou wilt like to hear from me 
respecting thy son, or rather mine, since I 
have borne him in the bond of the gospel. 
It is with humbling thankfulness to the 
Father of all our mercies that I may inform 
thee I have my desires to him to a wish ; he 
submits in all things as a son to a father, 
grows in experience, and appears very 
prettily at times in a small testimony, 
wherein he is favoured with the deep sym- 
pathy of sensible friends. Perhaps few, if 
any, have travelled so long with less diffi- 
culty and more harmony. 

I received thy kind and truly acceptable 
letter of the eleventh month last, which 
ministered fresh consolation to my low and 
often dejected mind, that I was still re- 
tained in memory and fellowship, which I 
esteem above all earthly things. 

Remember us very dearly to Henry 
Mills, his wife and children, sister Ann 
Hunt and hers, with thy own. I hope 1 
need not put thee in mind of advising my 



106 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

dear wife and little flock, giving them sucL 
advice as they shall need in spiritual or 
temporal affairs. 

The love which has subsisted between us 
and with us from the beginning will descend 
to our offspring, as it is often a solid satis- 
faction to my mind to have a branch of the 
root, to whom my life is so nearly gathered 
in the holy mystery and union of pure 
gospel fellowship. And now, dear Thomas, 
I must wind up the chain of scribbling, 
take my leave, and bid thee adieu. I rest 
thy poor little friend, but true and faithful 
companion in my exercises. That we may 
continue in faith and patience which hopeth 
to the end, which crowns all, is the travail 
in spirit of thine in the love of truth, 

William Hunt. 

The following letter from William Hunt 
to his children appears, from its date, to 
have been written about two weeks after 
leaving home upon his last journey, and, 
consequently, after taking a leave which 
proved to be a final one to those tender ob- 
jects of his affection. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 107 

My dear children : — There is a deep con- 
cern often remains on my mind for you, 
that you may grow in the pure truth, and 
witness the rewards of perfect obedience 
thereto, which is Hfe forever; and then you 
will be instructed to keep clear of all evil 
conversation, and to seek after that which 
is good. Be at peace among yourselves. 
Remember not to concern yourselves with 
other people's affairs, or to talk of them ; 
but diligently mind and look after your 
own business, that you may live in credit 
and free from want. Mind your reading, 
and improve what you can in writing ; but 
above all things seek to be acquainted with 
the truth, which will lead you into all tem- 
poral and spiritual virtues. The God of my 
life, whom I have loved all my days, keep 
and preserve you to the honour and praise 
of his great name, to whom I leave and 
commend you. Your affectionate father, 

W. Hunt. 

The 3d of 11th mo., 1770. 



108 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

TO THE SAME. 

Philadelphia, 4tli of oth month, 1771. 

My clear and well-beloved children : — • 
Feeling my mind often drawn toward you 
with deep concern for your preservation in 
the pure and holy truth, that your tender 
minds may not be drawn away into the 
spirit of this world, unto unprofitable com- 
pany, after youthful lusts, in vanity, pride, 
and disobedience, which lead down to the 
chambers of death ; wherefore, my dear 
children, seek the fear of the Lord, that you 
may be a comfort to your tender mother. 
Live in love. Keep out of all jars and un- 
seemly conversation, with loud talking. If 
you diligently observe this my counsel, then 
will you make my heart glad and my spirit 
to rejoice for your preservation in the God 
of my salvation, who hath called me from 
you for the glorious hope of the gospel of 
peace. But if, otherwise, you run into 
these things which bring dishonour to him 
and his truth, you will be a means of 
bringing my gray hairs with sorrow to the 
grave. 

I am, with my dear companion, well, and 



CORRESPONDENCE. 109 

we intend, if the Lord will, to embark 
[shortly] for England. That the Lord of 
my life, who visited me when very young, 
and brought me into the glorious habitation 
of his truth, may reveal in you the same 
mystery, is the fervent prayer of your affec- 
tionate parent, W. H. 

TO THE SAME. 

Liverpool, 1st mo. 8th, 1772. 

My dearly-beloved children : — It is with 
the most deep and inward concern of 
parental affection that I now put pen to 
paper in order to convey some hints, not 
only as a token of true love, but of concern 
for your present and lasting well-being. In 
the first place, I am fully confirmed that 
the God of truth and perfect wisdom hath 
required my absence from you for the testi- 
mony of truth, which in the richness of his 
love he hath given me to bear before the 
nations of many people; and it is with joy 
unspeakable, in the bowels of feeling ten- 
derness and true regard toward you, that 
my mind is often turned toward you, with 
fervent breathing to the God of all grace 



110 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

and glory, that he may be pleased in his 
unmerited mercy to extend the visitation 
of his love so eflectually as to gather you to 
the true knowledge of himself, and keep 
you through all the slippery spots of youth, 
that not one of you may ever be a dis- 
honour to His great name, or reproach the 
Lord's blessed truth, for which glorious 
cause I am now in a distant land, separated 
from social converse with the nearest en- 
joyments. But all these wants are supplied 
by that peace which remains in Him with 
whom all fulness dwells. And now, dear 
children, I would earnestly remind you 
carefully to attend to the advice of your 
affectionate mother in things both civil and 
religious, as her experience is much more 
than yours : be sure to give it a due weight 
in your minds, that the blessing of Him who 
lives forever may rest upon all your dwell- 
ings. Your affectionate parent, 

W. Hunt. 

TO THE SAME. 

Amsterdam, 17th of 8th mo., 1772. 

My dear children : — Being desirous to 
maintain an intimate acquaintance with 



CORRESPONDENCE. Ill 

you ill every distant land where my lot is 
cast for the work's sake, whereunto Divine 
"Wisdom, in the riches of his mercy, has 
seen meet to call me on his errands, that 
my care for you in all things may fully 
appear, I send you a token, not only of re- 
gard, but of deep concern that you may 
grow up in the fear of the Lord and have 
his holy dread always before your eyes, that 
thereby you may be enabled to refrain from 
all youthful lusts and wrong things. Keep- 
ing in innocency, you vnll feed in the 
valleys of deep humility, and drink of the 
brook which is the fountain of living waters 
in the truly humbled heart and bowed 
mind, wherein the Lord delights to dwell 
by his power and spirit, to refine, wash, and 
purify from all the leprosy of sin and vile 
affections that rule in the children of dis- 
obedience, who are led by the spirit of this 
world. Oh, my children, let these things 
sink deep in your hearts, and treasure them 
up in the secret of your minds, that I may 
have joy in you, and that you may rejoice 
in time to come in that you gave up the 
bloom of life to serve the Lord. Eemember 
the former advices which I have given you. 



112 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Adhere, I beseech you, to the repeated 
counsel and admonition of your affectionate 
mother, and count it none of the least of 
favours to you that she is still continued 
with you through much weakness and 
affliction of body. This is the Lord's 
doing, and ought to be humbling to your 
minds. 

We are well in every way, blessed be the 
great name of our Grod,who is our staff and 
shield, bow and battle-axe, whithersoever 
he directs our feet. His sweetening power 
and presence accompany our minds. Glory, 
worship, and praise to Him that lives for- 
ever. Amen. We intend to take shipping 
to-morrow for England. Your affectionate 
father, W. Hunt. 

By recurring to the memoir, we find that 
only eleven days intervened between the 
date of the last of the above letters and the 
time when the writer was seized by his final 
disorder. This communication was, there- 
fore, probably the last which he addressed 
to his children. Nearly eighty years have 
passed away since the last of these letters 
was written ; and of the children to whom 



CORRESPONDENCE. 113 

they were addressed one still is, or recently 
was, among the living. His son ]S"athan, a 
worthy and highly- valued minister, attended 
some sittings of the Yearly Meeting at New 
Garden, North Carolina, in the autumn of 
1849. Our friend Nathan Hunt, then up- 
ward of ninety years of age, evidently re- 
tained his religious sensibility unimpaired, 
though, from the encroachments of age, his 
physical as well as mental powers in other 
respects had greatly declined. He was 
manifestly regarded by his friends as a 
patriarch in the church, worthy of double 
honour. 

TO THE QUARTERLY MEETING OF MINISTERS 
AND ELDERS AT NEW GARDEN, GUILFORD 
COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 

Dublin, Ireland, 26th of 4th mo., 1772. 

Most dear and inwardly beloved Friends, 
fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters, 
companions and yoke-fellows, in the pure 
mystery of the gospel relation, with whom 
my life in Christ remains hid, so that time 
and distance only serve to strengthen the 
cords and renew the cordial notes of celes- 
tial converse, in the fresh spring and 



114 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

unction of true love. God ouly knows, you 
are written on the table of my heart, and 
printed in the secret of my mind, where I 
often read with great consolation in the 
midst of many trials, which, indeed, have 
not been few since we parted with you and 
every connection in this world. But He 
who raised our Lord from the dead hath 
strengthened us by the renewing of our in- 
v^^ard man in himself, in whom we experience 
sufficiency, which still remains equal to 
every allotment pointed out in his wisdom ; 
I also at times feel the help of your spirits 
ascend as sweet incense from the holy altar. 
The concurrence, also, of faithful brethren 
here with our service h^th been truly com- 
fortable and confirming, that the God of all 
grace and glory hath not only called us into 
a strange land, but hath owned our labours 
of love in the hope of the gospel, to the joy 
of the sincere in heart. To Him that is 
all in all I desire ever to dedicate the first- 
fruits of all my labours, who is worthy of 
salvation and glory forever. Amen. 

And now, dearly beloved, and longed-for 
in the holy union where the covenant of 
our spirits stand firni, though far absent in 



CORRESPONDENCE. 115 

bod}^, yet, being fitly framed according to 
the rule and measure of glory which our 
God in his abundant mercy hath revealed 
unto us through the spirit of his beloved 
Son, we cannot be separated ; but, as we 
draw sap from the root that bare us, w^e are 
grafted in the vine, and remain members 
one of another, feeding at the same table. 
Still, I have nothing to communicate but 
that w^hich you have known from the be- 
ginning. Hold fast, I beseech you, that 
which you have received, improving in the 
gift as workmen that need not be ashamed, 
learning how to divide the word and work 
aright, discerning when to speak and when 
to be silent. This I still find to be a close 
thing ; and oh that they who are elders and 
companions of those that bear the ark be- 
fore the congregation may go down with 
them into Jordan, and see the wonders of 
the Most High in the deep, dividing the 
waters in the holy mystery hither and 
thither, and casting up a way for the seed 
of promise ! so shall they be endued with a 
sound judgment and a good understanding, 
being able to speak a word in season to the 
weary travellers who may be sometimes 



116 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

halting behind their gifts ; also, to otter a 
hint of advice, caution, and counsel to such 
as are in danger of moving before the true 
anointing of the pure word which was in 
the beginning. Thus all may be preserved 
in the comely order of truth, and you 
flourish as by the fountains and fresh 
nprings of Shiloh, in the unity of the spirit 
and perfect bond of consolation one in 
another. And, dearly beloved, I entreat 
above all things that you let nothing cold 
or shy prevail among you, under any pre- 
tence whatsoever, for that eateth as a 
canker in the mystery of iniquity, to mar 
the beauty of our fellowship, wherein is 
beauty and strength. I speak freely, be- 
cause I love with unfeigned regard, and 
believe you will receive this little offering, 
though mean. Yet it is a fragment of the 
abundance which is often treasured up in 
my heart toward you. May it be received 
from your younger brother in the faith and 
patience which hopeth and endureth to the 
end. Farewell, in Him in whom all fulness 
dwells. William Hunt. 

The first of the following letters appears, 



CORRESPONDENCE. 117 

from its date, to have been written in his 
twentieth year ; yet it seems to have been 
preceded by at least one religions visit to 
distant Friends. Those to David Brooks 
were written daring his last journey. 

TO WILLIAM STANLEY. 

lOthof dthmo., 1753. 

My dear and well-beloved friend: — In 
the sweetness and oneness of spirit do I 
salute thee at this time, and also acquaint 
thee that I am reasonably well at present, 
through Divine favour; and the nearness 
and dearness that I feel to thee cause me 
oftentimes to retire alone in secret, where 
my cup is made to overflow, and I am near 
in spirit, though absent in body, deprived 
of the sw^eet conversation one with another, 
which seems, I think, the greatest enjoy- 
ment we have in this life. But, oh, my 
dear friend, great hath been the travail and 
exercise of soul and spirit which I have had 
since I saw thy face, — so great that some- 
times I am ready to give up the cause and 
conclude I never shall be able to go through 
so great and fiery a trial. Many l)itter cups 



118 MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUNT. 

have I drunk, but this seems the bitterest 
that ever I had, there being provings within 
and trials without, which bow me very low 
into the deep, so that I could desire at 
times, if it were my dear Redeemer's will, 
to take me away from this world, and put a 
period to all my exercises and trials, where 
I might remain for evermore ; for indeed 
I feel but little else than tribulation and 
trials in this life. But, my loving friend, 
the Lord hath a glorious w^ork to do for his 
holy name and truth upon the earth. If we 
can be so wise as to be faithful to him, he 
will make us as valiants in Israel for truth's 
cause. Therefore, be not discouraged be- 
cause of trials that abound ; for know this, 
the Lord will have a proved people upon 
the earth, that will not turn their backs in 
the daj^ of battle ; therefore let us wait in 
true faith and patience to hear the still 
small voice that speaks when the mind is 
brought down into true silence of all flesh, 
drawn from earth heavenward, to wait upon 
the Divine Being, to feel the arising of 
light and life with dominion, which will 
give power and victory over every unclean 
spirit, and chain the old accuser of the 



CORRESPONDENCE. 119 

brethren. So, my dear and well-esteemed 
friend in the aboundings of sweet love and 
Ufe, do I write these few words, not think- 
ing myself worthy to advise thee in these 
things ; only we may communicate a little 
to each other concerning our pilgrimage 
through this vale of tears and tabernacle of 
grief, for the confirmation and consolation 
one of another in the everlasting truth of 
our God, who hath made known the riches 
of his goodness unto us. Therefore, my 
beloved in the Lord Jesus Christ, let us not 
think that he has forsaken us because he is 
pleased to bring us through the fiery fur- 
nace of trials for the purifying of our out- 
ward man, so that we may be pure and 
clean, fit temples for the Lord of life and 
light to dwell in, and to receive the pure 
wine of the kingdom for the soul. So, my 
dear friend in love and life, do I exhort thee to 
be of good cheer under thy trouble and exer- 
cise, yet not in folly ; bear about the marks 
of our dear Redeemer in all meekness and 
humility, knowing this, — that all which can 
happen to us here is as nothing in com- 
parison of the crown of immortality and 
eternal h]\s=^ which we shall receive as a re- 



120 MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUNT. 

ward if we are faithful and faint not. The 
cause, in some measure, of my exercise is, 
that Satan, who labours every way to lay 
waste the heritage of God, hath sown his 
seed, raised discord among brethren, to the 
bowing down of the faithful children of the 
Most High God. Oh, the bitterness he 
hath caused in some hearts against me ! and 
I know not for what, except it be for the 
trial of my faith. I had not read thy letter, 
neither first nor last, when I wrote my letter 
to thee by Ann Moore, which when I saw I 
greatly rejoiced, being thankful to God that 
he was pleased to put in thy heart to write 
for my encouragement. As to my coming 
into those parts next summer, I cannot tell ; 
but it rests with weight and sweetness on 
my mind to come and visit you again ; 
but I must wait the Lord's own due and 
appointed time : until then I dare not 
move. 

Thy well-wishing friend and brother in 
the tribulation and patience of holy Jesus. 

William Hunt. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 121 



TO DAVID BROOKS. 



Nantucket, 15tli of 2d mo., 1771. 

My right dear and truly well-beloved 
friend, whom I often remember in that 
which laid the corner-stone and structure 
of our building in the heavenly mystery 
and fellowship of the sons of gospel light, 
to wit, true love in the pure seed, which 
hath been revealed and shed abroad in our 
hearts, to the bringing of us near to God in 
the communion of our spirits. May that 
of a deep and humbling concern possess 
our minds to hold our integrity, and keep 
the first love pure, with a noble resolution 
well becoming the fortitude of lamb-like 
warriors, earnestly pursuing a further re- 
finement, that the Most High may delight 
to deposit the holy treasure in the temple 
that himself hath made clean through the 
brightness of his coming. Remember, 
therefore, and always bear in mind from 
whom thou wast called, and whereunto 
thou art called, to be a servant of Christ 
and to his church. Therefore let a deep 
travail and laborious exercise of mind be 
kept close unto, that neither the shame of 



122 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUA'T. 

uncleanness nor of uncomeliness ma}- bo 
seen or discovered, but all hid by the 
mantle of Divine love, more especially in 
the house or church of Christ, whether in 
worship or discipline. Let it be the fervent 
prayer of thy heart to demean thj^self in 
meekness as a follower of the Lamb, that 
the great I AM msiy be pleased to inform 
thy judgment, and open thy understanding 
with true wisdom and knowledge to divide 
the word of truth aright, holding forth the 
glorious mystery of gospel truth like a well- 
instructed scribe, who bringeth out of his 
treasure the different portions suitable for 
the household. 

I write not to discourage thee in anj'' 
thing, but that thou mayest be, according 
to thy own desire, ''what the Lord would 
have thee to be." Come, therefore, beloved 
friend, in good earnest try thy skill ; ap- 
prove thyself a workman (in this holy 
structure) that need not be ashamed. My 
sincere desire is thou may be preserved 
from all mixtures. With a salutation of 
love, I subscribe, thy true friend, 

William Hunt. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 123 

TO THE SAME. 

London, 9th of 6tli mo., 1771. 

Dear Friend : — As true love and deep re- 
gard often bring thee fresh in my remem- 
brance, with strong desires thou mayest 
war a good warfare, as a faithful soldier, 
properly instructed in the holy mystery of 
the pure word, rightly dividing the gospel 
truth, from all mixtures of thine own will, 
or the suggestions of him who works in the 
deception, to draw out of the simplicity of 
the heavenly power and wisdom that is 
from above, pure and peaceable in the seed, 
where the purpose of true wisdom is known, 
and strength received to answer every re- 
quiring of the Divine will. As one whom 
I love equal to myself, I entreat, yea, and 
charge in the fear of God, that thou walk 
by the same rule, not leaning to thine own 
understanding, but, keeping in the humility, 
patience, and meekness of holy Jesus, thou 
mayest grow in the root and pure seed, able 
to bear the weight and burden of the Lord's 
work, in the dominion of his own spirit and 
power. Keep out of all heats and noisy 
airs, where thou mayest witness the spiritual 



124 MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUNT. 

kingdom of Christ to grow, and know the 
pure mystery to be unfolded further and 
further. Now unto the only wise and true 
God, who is able to keep and preserve thee, 
through Christ Jesus his beloved Son, in 
every trying dispensation, to the honour of 
his great name, the glory of his truth, the 
satisfaction and benefit of his body, the 
church, whereunto he hath called thee by 
the word of his power, I recommend thee. 
"With the salutation of love I subscribe my- 
self thy true and sympathizing friend, 

William Hunt. 

to the same. 

North Hampton, in Old England, > 
14thof Gthmo., 1771. / 

Dear Friend: — Because I love thee un- 
feignedly in the bonds of the gospel of our 
Lord Jesus, therefore it is that my spirit is 
drawn toward thee in the pure begetting 
of the holy seed, wherein we have sweet 
communion and fellowship, and move in 
our heavenly march after the Captain of 
our salvation, under whose banner we have 
enlisted. Mayest thou, my beloved brother, 
pursue, as a devoted soldier, with all dili- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 125 

gence, this holy warfare, not entangling 
thyself with this world, or the spirit of it, 
but keeping in the peaceable spirit of the 
Lamb, that thou mayest be further in- 
structed in those things which appertain to 
the glory of God, thine own growth and 
establishment in the mystery of the gospel 
power, being taught thereby to divide the 
word aright, seasoned with salt to thine 
own peace and the joy and comfort of thy 
brethren. Maj^est thou, with thy dear wife, 
be rightly joined to serve the Lord, being 
devoted to his pure will, wherein stands 
our peace forever. With the affectionate 
salutation of love to you both, I subscribe 
myself thy friend, William Hunt. 

TO THE SAME. 
Cumberland, 2d of 8th mo., 1771. 

Dearly-beloved friend: — As I feel my 
mind often drawn toward thee in the pure 
mystery of gospel union, wherein I may 
nearly salute thee, with thy dear wife, and 
if I should repeat some former advices, it 
will only manifest the continuation of deep 
regard, feeling a fervent desire for thy 



126 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

growth and increase in righteousness: 
wherefore, then, seek for strength that thou 
mayest gird on the w^hole armour of Hght, 
and be a pattern of humility, meekness, 
and wisdom to the believers, for hereunto 
God hath called thee beyond a doubt or 
scruple, that thou in due time shouldst be 
prepared to hold forth the mystery of his 
eternal word in the covenant of pure light. 
I often long to see thee, but more for thy 
preservation in an infant state, that nothing 
may nip thy tender plant, thy steppings 
along being sanctified by watching and 
prayer ; that thy feet may stand firm, abid- 
ing every shock and storm that may arise, 
from what quarter soever, that if God, in 
the riches of his love, see meet to continue 
the thread of time, so as to see each other 
in the vale of probation, it may be in the 
fulness of that unity that stands in the 
power of an endless life. Study to be 
quiet, and mind thy proper business ; seek 
peace and maintain the brotherhood ; dwell 
in that which overcomes all things, and 
thou shalt approve thyself as a good soldier, 
well instructed. These things I commit 
unto thee in the bonds of the gospel, 



CORRESPONDENCE. 127 

wherein I travail deeply for thy persevering 
in a right march after the Lamb. We are, 
through Divine help, well ; the Shepherd 
of Israel is our keeper : although he leads 
us through dark and lonesome places, yet he 
suffers no beast of prey to devour. My 
life, and all that moves within me, unites 
under the pure seed to wish thee well 
through every trying dispensation, and sub- 
scribe myself a lover of Zion's children, and 
thy sincere friend, William Hunt. 

TO HIS SISTERS, MARGARET REALS AND 
HANNAH KERSEY. 

Liverpool, 1772. 

My dearly-beloved sisters : — It is with 
feeling affection and united regard I now 
salute you, with our dear brother and all 
the children, being bound to you by a two- 
fold cord, having derived our being from 
one and the same mother. Yet, alas ! how 
low is this original when compared with 
the glory of immortal union ! It is with 
joy unspeakable and grateful acknowledg- 
ment I often receive the mercies of our 
God in the visitations of his love, gathering 
us to a perfect acquaintance with himself. 



128 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Dear hearts, retain your integrity therein 
with true firmness ; keep under the holy 
and humbling sense of pure truth, that 
under its shadow you may witness great 
delight; though in this world there may 
seem but little but a continued scene of 
probation and additional afflictions, yet 
when methinks I feel more than usual sym- 
pathy, we can centre in Him where all ful- 
ness dwells, and the soul retreats to its 
native abode, witnessing the fresh springs 
to replenish the inward man, in the bright 
appearance whereof we see beyond all 
mutable connections to the glory of our 
lasting inheritance, if we can but hold fast 
that we have received. Be of good cheer, 
dear sisters, and hope to the end. Do your 
day's work in the day ; the journey is short, 
the race will soon be over ; leave nothing 
undone till to-morrow that is discovered 
and put in your power to do this day ; then 
all is yours. Although I am the youngest, 
yet I have been a pattern to you and others, 
in that I have, by grace received through 
faith, made truth's cause the subject of my 
concern and bent of my actions from my 
childhood, so that, through the loving-kind- 



CORllESPONDENCE. 129 

nes8 of Him whose name is Most High, that 
hath done all these marvellous things, I 
have a secret hope of being so far fully 
clear. As for our present situation, we 
often journey by faith in the promises, and 
not by sight, witnessing that many trials 
attend, not easy to describe with pen and 
ink, (but feeling minds can read in other 
lines;) yet it is a comfortable situation 
when we can say we know him in whom 
we have believed, and that with him there 
is no want. And now, it is in a language 
most feeling and ajffectionate I would send 
a hint to Cousin Amos and his brothers. 
Dear children, carefully mind the impres- 
sions of Divine love, as a teacher in your 
own breasts ; adhere to the advice, caution, 
and counsel of your mother with readiness, 
and by no means run counter thereto ; for 
if she keeps her sense of truth in so doing, 
you will grieve the good spirit of God, and 
not only bring sorrow of heart upon her, 
but it will return on your heads in the ap- 
pointed time. Let your delight be in good 
company, reading and meditating, loving 
one another, being at peace with all men : 
so shall the God of perfect wisdom bless 

9 



130 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

you with the knowledge of his everlasting 
truth, which is better than bags of silver. 
Thus, as a token of my remembrance in the 
eternal and unchangeable truth, I conclude, 
your affectionate and very loving brother, 

William Hunt. 



A FEAV WORDS IN REMEMBRANCE OF MY 
BROTHER, WILLIAM HUNT, DECEASED. 

O my brother, how lovely and pleasant 
thou hast been to me ! Thou hast forsaken 
all that was near and dear to thee in this 
world to follow the Lamb both by sea and 
land. Thou didst obey the heavenly voice, 
and preferred the Lord's work before thine 
own. Thou hast gone to and fro in manj'' 
parts of the earth to sound forth the trum- 
pet of the Lord, and hast been able to speak 
a word in due season. It was thy delight 
to meditate on the law of the Lord. Ah, 
my brother, what shall I say in remem- 
brance of thee ? Surely I may lament the 
loss of such a friend ; although I have no 
cause to mourn though thou art laid in the 
silent grave, yet livingly speaketh in the 
bCfirts of many. Oh, the many deep bap- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 131 

tisms, trials, and exercises thou hast gone 
through with much meekness and patience ! 
Thou didst improve thy talents (as if thou 
knewest how short thy time should be) unto 
the praise of Him that first did raise thy 
mind from earthly things to heavenly. 
Thou hast been a valiant soldier in the holy 
warfare, to promote the honour and glory 
of God ; so, after many hard labours and 
travails for the promotion of truth, thou 
hast ended thy days in a distant land, where 
I believe thou hast gone to everlasting rest 
and peace, with glory crowned, amongst 
saints and angels forever blest. Oh that 
the Lord would be pleased to raise up many 
more such faithful labourers in his vine- 
yard ! l^ow we are left behind ; let it be 
our daily care to keep down in humility, in 
patience and self-denial, in reverence and 
holy fear before the Lord, that, when this 
short and uncertain time here is at an end, 
we may be thought worthy of an inherit- 
ance amongst the sanctified, where we may 
sing praises for evermore. So saith one 
that wisheth well to all mankind. 

Margaret Beals. 

4th of the 2d mo., 1773. 



132 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

TO HIS WIFE. 

My dear, loving wife : — Feeling a free 
spring of life to overspread my mind often 
toward thee, with my dear children, in 
which I freely intercede with the Great 
Name that he may preserve you blameless 
in a degree of acquaintance with him. Oh, 
my dear children, how doth my heart and 
soul long for them and toward them, that 
they might grow up in the beauty and 
comeliness of God's ho\j truth, learning the 
fear of the Lord God that made them ; and 
thou, my dear, that hath known much of 
the turning of the hand of God, in the glory 
of his appearance, my dear love and life in 
Christ Jesus, I salute thee, humbly asking 
the Father and Fountain of all good that he 
may be pleased to fill thy heart with the 
fulness of joy, peace, and consolation in his 
Holy Spirit. "When I was with you I was 
often hurried in the affairs of life, that 1 
might redeem time to serve the Lord, his 
truth and people, which hath been my de- 
light from my very childhood ; and although 
many tnals have attended, yet it is now my 
greatest joy that I gave the prime of age a 



CORRESPONDENCE. 133 

freewill offering unto God, willingly passing 
through, the many probations necessary to 
fit the mind in order to receive renewed 
springs of gospel ministry. I was evermore 
favoured with a truly composed mind, con- 
firmed in my gift and duty through the 
land, freely devoted and cheerfully given 
up in all things, in which state I witness 
both access and acceptance. And now, my 
dear heart and true love, in the beautiful 
feeling of the presence of our beloved Cap- 
tain, the Eock of our salvation, do I entreat 
thee to wait with my spirit for the deep feel- 
ing of the power of an endless life, in which 
we shall have amiable and sympathizing 
converse in the language of truth, which 
will be pleasant and profitable. What shall 
I say more than pray for the dew of the 
everlasting hills and presence of the Holy 
Shepherd to be over you ? Now, dear 
children, if I should never see you more, 
— which stands in God's will, — remember 
to love one another, and obey your dear 
mother, and do what she bids you with 
readiness. Learn to read and go to meet- 
ing; be sober and thoughtful. And I re- 
main yours in the Lord only. 



134 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

And, clear sister, while I am writing to 
my nearest enjoyments, there is a spring of 
endeared affection in my heart toward thee, 
constantly and earnestly desiring that true 
peace and tranquillity of mind may rest 
over thee as the dew of Hermon's hill and 
spring of the valley, to cause the plant of 
God's right hand to grow and become 
strong and appear beautiful. In much 
love and affection, farewell. 

Wm. Hunt. 

8th of 7th mo., 1767. 

TO THE SAME. 

Dear and well-beloved w^ife : — In the true 
and faithful begettings of the holy seed and 
beautiful spring of pure life I salute thee, 
with my dear children, fervently and sin- 
cerely desiring these may j&nd you under 
the shadow of the Great Shepherd, where is 
perfect delight through every circumstance. 
I am with Cousin Tomma, and have been 
favoured with a tolerable good state of 
health through a difficult journey, in which 
Divine Goodness hath often appeared in 
manifold instances for our help and pre- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 135 

servation, for which I am often engaged 
with reverence and fear to say. Who is 
worthy but thou, O Lord, to receive do- 
minion and glory, worship and perfect 
obedience forever, whose works are wonder- 
ful, and his ways past finding out, — only as 
the Morning Star, who hath the key of 
David, is pleased to open the mysteries of 
the holy kingdom and discover the riches 
and wisdom thereof? And now, my dear, 
that thou may humbly wait with all dili- 
gence for instruction to conduct wisely be- 
fore thy own family, and in the house of 
God, coming up daily in a discharge of 
duty through every trying dispensation, is 
the deep travail of my spirit. And oh, my 
tender children, my heart and mind are 
moved on every remembrance of you with 
endeared afifection, desiring above all things, 
my dear children, that you may walk before 
the Lord in his fear and dread, who then 
will be your crown and great reward. Once 
more, my dear wife and children, in much 
love and affection I commend you to the 
Watcher and Holy One, that hath been the 
keeper of my life in and through all hunger 
and nakedness, perils by sea and land; but, 



136 MEMOIRS OF AVILLIAM HUKT. 

more than all these, what I have gone 
through on account of false brethren, the 
Lord only knows, who judgeth all things. 
Oft have I been afraid I should perish in 
the ruins of a backsliding people ; but He 
who is witnessed by a remnant to dwell be- 
tween the cherubims hath not given me my 
life for a prey, and sometimes admits me to 
draw near in the beauty of holiness to enjoy 
a sweetness unspeakable. I see nothing, 
dear child, but that I shall return in the 
Lord's time, yet felt a freedom to write 
these lines, that, if it should prove other- 
wise, thou might have a hint of the travail 
of my soul, and know that I was at rest in 
the Lord God of my life, who is first and 
last, yea and amen, forever. We have been 
through the most part of New York and 
New England, are now in the Jerseys, ex- 
pect to take a few meetings in our way to 
Philadelphia, from thence direct into Mary- 
land, a few meetings in the back part, then, 
if the Lord permit, home. I trust to see 
you the latter end of next month ; but it is 
best not to be uneasy. I hope to keep 
strictly under the Great Captain's command, 
in whom only we are one another's joy. 



CORRESPONDENCE. 137 

whether absent or present. Our dear cousin 
Tomma does bravely as a kind, agreeable 
companion, and joins in dear love to thee 
and all our friends. Thy affectionate hus- 
band, William Hunt. 

Shkewsbury in the Jerseys, 'X 
2d mo. 13, 1768. / 



TO THE SAME. 

My right dear and truly-beloved v^dfe : — 
As I feel my mind drawn and sweetly open 
toward thee at times in the pure seed, 
where the union, sj^mpathy, and fellowship 
of our spirits stand firm in the holy life that 
hath been revealed and shed abroad in our 
hearts by the Spirit of the Lamb, through 
whom we have found admittance into the 
heavenly mystery of pure truth, and been 
partakers of the glory manifested to the 
children of light, for which excellent hope 
received we are now accounted worthy of 
the Most High to sojourn apart for a sea- 
son, maj^ a deep humbling concern ever 
possess our minds to dwell in perfect resig- 
nation to his heavenly will, where the 
fountain of peace is fully known to flow 



138 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

and solace the weary mind under all its 
fatigues and toils. We have had for most 
part a good and comfortable journey to this 
island, being kindly received amongst our 
brethren, and sometimes favoured with an 
enlargement of heart and opening into the 
gospel mystery, wherein we have been 
comforted together, and confirmed that it 
was the Lord's will we should come into 
this land. We have been about nine days 
on this island, and are now waiting for a 
fair wind to go for Rhode Island, where we 
have been some time : we had from thence 
the company of our truly-esteemed friends 
James Mitchel and Isaac Lawton. My dear 
heart, the secret prayer of my mind is, that 
thou may experience the fresh springs of 
pure wisdom and goodness to influence thy 
mind, so as to be ordered thereby in all 
things, when time nor distance will not 
seem long. In love to all friends, I con- 
clude, thy affectionate husband, 

Wm. Hunt. 

Nantucket, 2d mo. 14, 1771 



CORRESPONDENCE. 139 



TO THE SAME. 



Philadelphia, 4th mo. 25, 1771. 

My dear and inwardly-beloved wife : — 
When I consider the many trying dispensa- 
tions and hard afflictions thou hast been 
brought through, of both body and mind, 
it leads me to renew the language, '' Great 
and marvellous are all thy works thou God 
of truth ;" when to the eye of human reason 
it appears a wonder that thou art continued 
in the earthly frame to this day ; and it is 
beyond doubt with me that the purpose of 
pure Wisdom in the lengthening of time is 
for some great and good end ; may thou, 
therefore, always be kept in a tvnlj watch- 
ful inward state, to the end every purpose 
of pure goodness respecting thee may be 
fully answered, dwelling in a cheerful re- 
signation to the Divine will in all things, 
where thou wilt witness a stepping peace- 
ably through the crowd of many cumbers, 
and grow in the heavenly mystery, wisdom, 
and increase of truth, wherein the time will 
not seem tedious either of my absence oi 
other trials that may attend ; and though it 



liO MEMOIRS OF WILHAxM HUNT. 

has at times been a cross to stay so long in 
this land, yet, as I have great cause to be- 
lieve it is in the pure wisdom, — the many 
additional seals of his owning power and 
presence being near to open through the 
veil into the treasure of pure wisdom, — I am 
bound to submit, having never seen till 
now any vessel or time of embarking, which 
looks likely to be in about ten days. 

I am often deeply thoughtful of our chil- 
dren, with strong desires they may be so 
preserved as never to be a dishonour to the 
glory of that truth I am called to bear testi- 
mony to and for. But I trust, dear heart, 
thou wilt be directed by pure wisdom to in- 
struct them in every branch of religious 
duty in the simplicity of truth, and that the 
Most High will visit and gather them under 
his holy banner of pure love. 

Our esteemed friends Samuel Neal and 
Joseph Oxley came to this city two days 
past, who gave me a comfortable account 
of thy state and the children's, also that 
they believe thou wast better without me 
than with me, which I trust is a certain 
truth, since He who searches the utmost 
treasure of our minds bears me that testi- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 141 

mony that nothing in this world could be 
the least draught to have parted with so 
many endearments sometimes. The above- 
mentioned friends desire to be kindly re- 
membered in love to thee and all our chil- 
dren, after mentioning very lively their 
feeling remembrance of thy cheerful, well- 
grounded disposition of mind. It looks 
likely before thou receives this letter, if the 
Lord of all our mercies prosper our way, we 
may be in Old England ; to whom I com- 
mend thee, with our children, and rest thy 
companion in many exercises, desiring you 
may dwell in peace with him and one 
another, seeking peace with all men, that 
the God of peace may delight to dwell 
richly in your hearts. Farewell. Thy 
affectionate husband, 

William Hunt. 

to the same. 

Cumberland, Old England, ^ 
1st of 8th mo., 1771. ) 

Dear and well-beloved wife : — I received 
thy very acceptable letter, dated the 12th 
of the 4th month last, which was cause of 



142 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

joy and thankfulness to hear you were all 
then favoured with health, a blessing we 
have mostly, through merciful regard, par- 
took of since our parting with thee and 
other connections of this world. We have 
had, upon the whole, a comfortable journey 
so far, having been with many valuable 
Friends, whose united regard to us hath 
been very confirming and instructive, many 
of whom thou knows, to wit, John Storer, 
Robert Proud, Joshua Dixon, Thomas Gaw- 
throp, Jane Crosfield, Hannah Harris, Eliza- 
beth Wilkinson, and Rachel Wilson, who 
mostly desired to be kindly remembered to 
thee. We expect next week to go into 
Scotland. As Friends are few and scatter- 
ing in that nation, it was thought best to 
be there in the summer season. I hope 
and often desire that the God of truth and 
perfect wisdom may and will be with thee 
and our children, to direct your goings in 
the pure light, wherein is safety. We are 
daily alarmed, by the newspapers from the 
seaport towns, of the calamitous situation 
of North Carolina and Virginia, the one by 
destroying themselves, the other by the de- 
luge of waters, laying many places in ruin- 



CORRESPONDENCE. 143 

ous heaps. But, as our warfare is of 
another nature, we endeavour to gather 
from the confused noise, which no doubt 
many of you have been deeply tried with, 
yet cannot but feel concern for the inhabit- 
ants in general, and our brethren in par- 
ticular, with strong desires they may be 
preserved in that stability and firmness as 
becomes the followers of holy Jesus. It was 
not sorrowful to me to hear that Aunt 
Elizabeth was gathered to her appointed 
home, believing she enjoys an immortal 
crown. Dear little Cousin William Morgan, 
whom I much loved, will be missed in his 
own family and in that meeting; but, as 
true Wisdom hath seen meet to number 
him from the evil to come, it is our duty to 
submit. Give my dear love to his widow. 
As for my former truly-united companion, 
Zacharias Dicks, I conclude almost beyond 
a doubt that he is dead, or else I think he 
would certainly, by some means or other, 
have renewed the cordial notes of friend- 
ship before now, as I principally depended 
on him to give me a full account of my own 
affairs and things in general. If he is yet 
alive, let him know the uniting of my life 



144 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

is sealed up in the mystery of the gospel 
with them who dwell in the pure day. 
I was in hopes if the lads had learned well 
to have seen some of their scribbling by 
this time. My love to thee and thine : all 
relations and friends, as though named, 
(wherein Cousin Tomma joins,) to father 
and mother, and my beloved brother 
Eleazar in particular. Thy affectionate 
husband, Wm. Hunt. 

TO THE same. 

Cork, in Ireland, 2cl mo. 26, 1772. 

My dear love, to whom is the salutation 
of my life in that which changeth not, 
wherein is dominion over all things, be- 
cause it was, and is, and will be when all 
things are gone, in these the God of all 
glory keep thee and my dear children, and 
then all will be well : whether life or death, 
Christ the hope of glory is ours, and we are 
his. As to my health, it is preserved to a 
miracle, through constant travelling, deep 
labours, close exercises, being in depths 
often and trials many. But He who raised 
.Tesiis from the dead comforts us amidst all 



CORRESPONDENCE. 145 

tribulation, by the help of faithful brethren, 
who are become bone of our bone in the 
mystery of the new covenant, so that I may 
say no people were ever more near than 
some both here and in England, and at the 
same time not forgetting my kindred in the 
pure seed at home, with whom the celestial 
bond remains firm in the unction of pure 
love, often visiting of you both in the day- 
time and night-season, being often re- 
freshed in a sense of the uniting help of the 
faithful, whose prayers I know ascend to 
the Great Master as sweet incense for our 
preservation, which I humbly hope will 
prevail, to the glory of Him that hath called 
us, and our mutual joy one in another, in 
the Lord's good time. I wrote to thee and 
my dear little companion Zacharias by a 
vessel bound for Wilmington, directed to 
Thomas Hadley, at Cross Creek, in the 
tenth month. I since wrote to thee from 
Liverpool, directed to Edward Stabler. 
I send this to Philadelphia, thinking per- 
haps some of them may reach thee. About 
four weeks since, true Wisdom seemed to 
point our course for this nation : thereto we 
took shipping at Liverpool, and had a good 
10 



14t] MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

passage of twenty-six hours to Dublin. We 
hope, if the Lord prospers our way as 
hitherto, we shall be clear of this kingdom 
so as to get to the Yearly Meeting at Lon- 
don, which is in the sixth month. Inquire 
not after our return home, but dwell in the 
holy seed, where faith and patience are re- 
ceived to hope unto the end, that we may 
be heirs of the promise, and possess one 
another in the Lord, with whom the secrets 
of time remain hid. May my dear children 
so live and walk in the fear of God, love 
and affection to one another, and in true 
peace and quietness with all men, as to be 
a blessing and comfort to thee in the many 
deep trials thou hast to pass through, is the 
liumbling concern and deep travail of my 
spirit. With the tender endearments of 
true love and affection to thee and them, 
I remain j^ours in the Lord, and thy loving 
husband, William Hunt. 

TO THE SAME. 

Liverpool, 5th mo. 13, 1772. 

My right dear and truly well-beloved 
wife, in that which was, and is, and will be 



CORRESPONDENCK. 147 

when we are gone and gathered to our 
lot and portion with the Lord, do I dearly 
salute thee, with all our children. I w^rote 
to thee from Cork, in Ireland, soon after 
our arrival there, giving thee an account of 
our coming on that island, since which we 
have visited all the meetings in that king- 
dom, the Lord giving us many precious 
seasons, and concluded our visit at their 
National Meeting, held in Dublin, which 
was very large, and truly comfortable to 
many, being eminently favoured wnth the 
owning power and presence of truth, 
wherein many minds were enlarged with 
wdsdom and understanding to communicate 
weighty advices to the men and women's 
meetings to take charge of God's glory and 
truth's testimony in the several parts of the 
nation. I write this because I know thou 
likes to hear of truth's prosperity and 
Friends' zeal for comely order. There is a 
living remnant preserved in that nation 
with whom my spirit is nearly united, being 
bound in the covenant of pure light, though 
we had painful labour, deep exercises, close 
engagements, hard travails within and with- 
out, not easy to express with pen and ink; but 



148 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

thou can read and understand these things, 
and know the deep wadings of my spirit for 
the Lord's work, that I might rejoice in that 
day when the last trump shall sound, in 
that I devoted the prime of life to the hope 
set before me. And now, dear heart, know 
and be consolated in the Lord our God, 
who hath kept and preserved us, and given 
our lives in the pure seed from time to 
time, in, through, and over all these perils, 
(which have not been few,) to stand in the 
dominion of the unchangeable truth, mak- 
ing Jerusalem a quiet habitation, and Zion 
a safe spot of dwelling. To Ilim that 
dwells between the cherubims be glory and 
honour, with sweet praises ascending as 
from the holy altar which he prepares in 
the hearts of his contrited ones, who is 
worthy forever. But my deep concern re- 
mains for thee and our children whom the 
Lord hath given us, that thou, my dear 
love, may dwell deep in the root of life, and 
receive faith and renew patience, which 
worketh hope in a mystery that stands firm 
and is not shaken with any conflicts, having 
the prospect of a better country when once 
this weary pilgrimage is at an end. And 



CORRESPONDENCE. 149 

oh, my children, that they may walk in 
the truth, and never tread on that testi- 
mony which, with many weary steps and 
painful moments, I am engaged to bear 
among many people. 

We are now arrived in England, having 
had a comfortable passage of about forty- 
seven hours from Dublin. Being now two 
hundred miles from London, we purpose 
setting out to-morrow, in order to get to 
the Yearly Meeting there the 1st of next 
month. We get on in our service beyond 
what I could expect, though my little frame 
is much impaired and my constitution 
broken ; yet Divine help is near to renew 
strength of body and mind far more than 
I dare have hoped for. It is likely I shall 
have opportunity of writing from London, 
letting thee know my further prospects, as 
best Wisdom may please to open our way. 
Remember us to thy father and mother, 
with all the children and other friends. 
The Lord grant stability and firmness to be 
the girdle of thy loins, and give thee wis- 
dom to become a mother in Israel. Thy 
affectionate husband, 

William Hunt. 



150 MEMOIRS or WILLIAM IlL^^T. 

TO THE SAME. 

Amsterdam, 8th mo., 1772. 
Dear heart : — Having a sweet remembrance 
of thee, a deep and inward feeling sympathy with 
thee in thy many and various steppings along 
through a weary pilgrimage, which I trust is com- 
fortable at times, by the bright rays of Him in 
whom the fulness still remains, covering the habi- 
tation of thy mind as with a living canopy of 
pure love ; then we may say in truth all his ways 
are pleasant, and paths peace : my spirit salutes 
thee in the fresh feeling thereof, and gives thee 
to understand that our service in Holland seems 
nearly over : purposing if the Lord will, to take 
shipping in a few hours for England. I wrote 
thee from London of our intention of Holland, 
and from Hull of the time of our embarking, 
at our first landing, of a good passage : as indeed 
I have nothing to say of our Holy Captain but 
that he hath been altogether good, far beyond 
w^hat I dared to have hoped for : at our first com- 
ing here the difficulty of speaking by an inter- 
preter w^as great, and sunk my spirit exceeding 
low ; earnestly entreating the Most High that 
he would be pleased in his abundant mercy to 
qualify me for every service he called unto : and 
adorable condescension heard the travail of my 



CORRESPONDENCE. 151 

spirit, and stayed my mind, gathering it unto 
the habitation of life, and gave me wisdom and 
utterance to speak of those things which apper- 
tain to His kingdom. Since which we have had 
many precious seasons in public meetings and 
families : for which with all his unmerited 
favours, preservations by sea and land, let all 
within me bow in awful reverence before Him, 
who is still the dread of nations : and to us all 
in all, God over all, blessed for ever. Amen. 

Thus, my dear, we have been through the 
outskirts of our visit to Europe, as Scotland, 
Ireland, Holland, and the north of Britain ; 
we now draw towards the centre of our service, 
which I trust will be accomplished in the Lord's 
good time. May thou be kept in that which will 
not think the time long, is often the desire of 
my mind, and you with us be so ordered in the 
counsel and wisdom of truth, as all things may 
tend to the honour and reputation of the great 
cause, which will turn to our account when time 
here shall be no more. 

I have received many comfortable letters 
from thee, and several from other Friends, all 
which I acknowledge as tokens of regard. 

In affectionate nearness, thy loving husband, 

William Hunt. 



162 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

ESTHER TUKE'S LETTER TO WILLIAM HUNT'S 
CHILDREN. 

Dear children of a father beloved and 
honoured by me with double honour, which 
was his due, accept a few lines, the produce 
of an heart deeply concerned for your pre- 
sent and eternal good ; though to you a 
stranger and unknown, yet, through Divine 
favour, a near relation to your father in 
that spiritual kingship which is stronger 
than death, nor can time erase it out. And 
now he is removed from us, that you nor 
I can behold him no more, my love flows 
strong to you who were so near to him, 
with desires that you may walk in his steps ; 
and, that it may be so, let me recommend 
to your serious attention good King David's 
advice to his son : — " Thou, Solomon, my 
son, know the God of thy fathers, and serve 
him with a perfect heart and with a willing 
mind : if thou seek him he will be found 
of thee ; but if thou forsake him he will 
cast thee off forever." I trust some of you, 
who are now as old as your father was when 
he appeared in the Lord's cause, hath been 
in a good degree acquainted with your 



CORRESPONDENCE. Ie53 

father's God; and to you nothing remains 
but to regard the second admonition, — to 
serve him with a perfect heart and a willing 
mind; and as this becomes your case, 
according to the discovery of his will, you 
will know his going forth to be prepared as 
a morning without clouds, and his return as 
the former and the latter rain, by which 
you will grow in strength and in the know- 
ledge of his ways, and so be fitted for ser- 
vice in his house, and fill up the place of 
your dear deceased father, and other wor- 
thies that have gone from works to a glo- 
rious reward. You know this was what 
your father most desired for you, above the 
fatness of the earth, knowing well by living 
experience that godliness with contentment 
is great gain, being profitable unto all 
things, having the promise of the life which 
now is and of that which is to come ; and 
in this state you will comfort and be as 
'an husband to your mother in her lonely 
widow state. Being stripped of one so 
worthy, she will often mourn in the re- 
membrance of his tenderness and care ; and 
in these seasons your steady conduct and 
tender sympathy will help to bear up her 



154 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

drooping head, and perhaps at times make 
her to forget to mourn ; and your advice 
and example, being in this manner seasoned 
with the Lord's fear, may be a means of 
drawing those that are younger into the 
same path ; and, as sure as this becomes the 
case, the blessing of your father's God will 
rest upon you in dew as from the ever- 
lasting hills, and neither grace nor glory 
that he sees is meet for you will be with- 
held. 

My heart is filled with love toward you 
as if you were my own children, and in 
that tender feeling have I mourned for your 
loss, knowing well it is exceeding great, 
which I believe some of you are truly sen- 
sible of ; and I much desire a proper sense 
of your father's worth and his advice which 
you have been favoured with may be sealed 
upon your mind, and, like bread cast upon 
the waters, return and dwell with you to 
the end of your days. 

And now, having wrote in true love 
those few things as they arose, I think to 
leave you, after desiring such of you as are 
eldest to keep near to that hand which hath 
visited, and the younger to remember their 



CORRESPONDENCE. 155 

Creator in these days of youth, and not 
grieve his pure witness, having a comfort- 
able hope that, as this is your case. He who 
was with your father all his life long, sup- 
ported him through all his troubles, and 
gathered him safe to his eternal kingdom 
of rest and peace, will in like manner bless 
and be with you ; and though you must 
expect in this world there will be trouble, 
yet fear not: it is the way to peace. With 
an affectionate salutation of tender love I 
salute you, and remain your sincere friend, 

Esther Tuke. 

YoEK, lOth mo. 26, 1772. 



LINES 



TO THE MEMORY OF 



SAMUEL rOTHERGILL, WILLIAM HUNT, AND 
JOHN WOOLMAN. 

WRITTEN 1772. 



Whence, my friend, that sadly pensive sigh ? 

Whence those descending sympathetic tears ? 

Has thy firm bosom met some adverse shock ? 

Or dost thou feel another^s secret vroe ? 

No : 'tis a general, universal grief 

That svrells thy bosom with augmenting pangs ! 

Thou mourn^st for Zion, mourns the church's loss, 

By the removal of her valiant sons : 

For who can view her stately pillars gone, 

Those firm supports of virtue's weighty dome, 

And not unite in tributary tears ? 

No more a Fothergill, with truth's bright shield. 
Maintains the dignity of Christian zeal ; 
No more he shines the mirror of the good. 
The noble standard of accomplished man ! 

Whatever of great the moralist can boast, 
Whatever superior grace religion gives, 
156 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 157 

In him portrayM a finished character. 
With what persuasive nervous eloquence 
His lips have utter'd this endearing call: — 
" Ye rising youth, the hope of future years, 
You who have felt the cords of heavenly love 
To draw and disengage you from the world. 
Keep near that quickening vivifying power 
Which freed from bondage Israel's favoured sons 1 
So shall you grow, to glad parental love. 
And stand as warriors in defence of truth ! 
On you the important cause must soon devolve, 
Oh, be ye faithful, upright, and sincere/' 

No more he speaks ; his flowing periods cease ! 
No more he lights devotion's sacred flame ! 
No longer warms and aids the ascending soul 
To scale the altar whence his virtues flowed ; 
For all proceeded from the throne of Grace : 
His light, his love, his ardent charity, 
Were but the emanations of that Sun 
Whose rays difiusive are the Christian's strength, 
His bow, his battle-axe, his only hope. 

Nor less revered the memory of Hunt, 
That noble veteran in his Master's cause. 
Who greatly left his wife, his native land. 
With every pledge that renders life most dear, 
To purchase that best gift, — a peaceful mind. 
You, who with him have oft retired to sit 
In inward silence, awful and profound. 
Beneath the shades of Sinai's cloudy top, 
To wait the unfoldings of mysterious love, 
You only know the deep and ardent travail 



158 MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 

Of his mind, — ^liis sympathetic mind, 

In fellow-labouring lent, a secret strength 

With yours uniting, raising light and life. 

And thou, Woolman, venerable seer, 
Art highly worthy of the plaintive lay : 
In thee the astonished gazing world admired, 
What this degenerate age can rarely boast, 
A faithful follower of a suffering Lord ! 
'Twas thine the painful, thorny path to tread ; 
'Twas thine to bear a Saviour's dying cross ! 
Redeemed from earth, and earth's perplexing cares. 
Redeemed from lawful and unlawful self, 
Thy mind was tutor'd, fitted, and prepared 
To enjoy the highest privilege of man, 
A near companion with Eternal Good, — 
A fellowship celestial while below, — 
The certain earnest of immortal bliss ! 
Thy only wish to hear and to obey 
The sacred mandate and supreme decree 
Of Him who calls for purity and peace. 

Here stop, my pen. — This fainter sketch forbear 
Of what their retrospective virtues teach. 
Their bright examples thus address mankind : — 
" Our painful, arduous warfare now is past ; 
Our souls, released from earth's penurious soil, 
Are gone to enjoy the liberty they loved ; 
That full fruition of triumphant joy 
For which we laboured in our militant state. 
Mourn not for us : the living claim your tears ! 
Weep for those dead in trespass and in sin ! 



MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM HUNT. 159 

Tread the same steps which centred us in rest ; 
By good example call to the supine ; 
The young encourage, animate the weak, 
Comfort the mourners, strengthen those who faint, 
That Sion thus may shake herself, and shine 
With the bright lustre of her ancient days/' 



THE END. 



STEREOTYPED BY L. JOHNSOX k CO. 
PHILADELPHIA. 



This Memoir of Nathan Hunt is published 
with the sanction of the Yearly Meeting of 
Friends of North Carolina. 



BRIEF MEMOIR 



OF 



NATHAN HUNT: 



CHIEFLY EXTRACTED 



JOURNAL AND LETTERS. 



PHILADELPHIA: 
URIAH HUNT & SON, 

62 NORTH FOURTH STREET. 

LONDON: 

ALFRED W. BENNETT, 5 BISHOPSGATE STREET WITHOUT. 

1858. 



CONTENTS. 



Testimony from Springfield Monthly Meeting . . 3 

Memoir *. 15 

Letters to his Wife 40 

Letters to Various Persons 99 

Addenda 157 

(2) 



MEARS 4: DUSENBERT, 8TERE0TTPER8. 
ROBE, PILE & M'ELROY, PRINTERS. 



A TESTIMONY 

TROM 

SPRINGFIELD MONTHLY MEETING, 

CONCERNING 

NATHAN HUNT. 



From a regard for the memory of this our 
dear friend, and the lively recollections we have 
of his fervent religious engagements and pious 
labours amongst us, we feel engaged to preserve 
a brief Memorial concerning him, in the hope 
that it may prove instructive and encouraging 
to survivors to contemplate the course of one 
who was so much devoted to the service of his 
Divine Master. 

He was born in the verge of New Garden 
Monthly Meeting, Guilford county, North Caro- 
Una, the 26th of the 10th month, 1758. His 

(3) 



4 A TESTIMONY 

parents were William and Sarah Hunt, both 
members of the Society of Friends, the former 
a minister of the Gospel. 

According to his own account, he was in early 
life made sensible of the tendering visitations 
of the love of God, notwithstanding he was 
naturally of a lively and volatile disposition, 
and in some measure given to lightness. When 
about seventeen years of age, he had a reaching 
visitation, and a renewed view of being called 
to the ministry ; but, for want of faithfully 
abiding under the solemn impression, he gradu- 
ally again partook in associations with jovial 
companions. But he experienced frequent re- 
newals of those impressions, giving him a ground 
of hope, that, notwithstanding his remissness, 
he was not forsaken. He was mercifully pre- 
served, even in his greatest departure, from 
gross evils, or a departure from the peculiari- 
ties of the Society of Friends in relation to 
speech and apparel. 

He was united in marriage to Martha Ruck- 
man, in the 20th year of his age, and soon after 



CONCERNING NATHAN HUNT. 5 

he was closely tried by the sudden death of his 
mother. 

About this time, the Kevolutionary war com- 
ing on, he experienced much privation by being 
robbed of his horses, cattle, and other property, 
leaving him almost destitute of the necessary 
means of subsistence ; all of which he bore with 
Christian fortitude. 

His first appearance in the ministry was in 
the twenty-seventh year of his age, when he 
spoke a few words in a meeting in the State of 
Tennessee. Thus he continued, speaking a few 
words at a time, for about two years — his min- 
istry carrying the evidence that it was in the 
power of truth. 

In the thirty-first year of his age he experi- 
enced another severe trial, by the death of his 
beloved wife. Being thus left with the sole 
charge of six small children, in which situation 
he remained more than three years, when he 
was united in marriage to Prudence Thorn- 
burgh. Shortly after which he removed and 
settled at Pine Woods Meeting, within the verge 



A TESTIMONY 



of Springfield Monthly Meeting, where, in the 
thirty-fourth year of his age, and in the year 
1792, he was acknowledged as a minister of the 
Gospel, and from that time to 1796 he fre- 
quently attended the neighbouring meetings, 
where his labours were satisfactory and edify- 
ing. His first travel as a minister was to South 
Carolina and Georgia, in the year 1796. 

He being under deep exercise of mind on ac- 
count of leaving his family, who were dependent 
on him, he has been heard to say, on that occa- 
sion, that while following his plough, he heard 
a voice distinctly say to him : Go, and thou 
shalt lack nothing, and thy family shall be 
cared for in thy absence. The impression was 
so convincing that he instantly gave up, accept- 
ing it as an intimation from the Lord that he 
would make way for him. In the year 1797 
he obtained a minute of unity and concurrence 
to appoint meetings westward as far as Lost 
Creek, in the State of Tennessee. In the year 
1798 he obtained a certificate, liberating him 
to perform a religious visit to Friends and 



CONCERNING NATHAN HUNT. 7 

Others in the Northern and Eastern States, 
"which visits he performed in the following year. 
In the years 1801, 1802, and 1803, he was en- 
gaged in attending and appointing meetings 
within the limits of North Carolina Yearly 
Meeting, and in attending Virginia Yearly 
Meeting, and some of the meetings belonging 
thereto. In the year 1804 he obtained a cer- 
tificate and performed a religious visit to the 
inhabitants of the Northern and Eastern States. 
In the year 1805 he was engaged in visiting the 
Western Quarterly Meeting, and appointing 
some meetings adjacent thereto. Also, attend- 
ed Baltimore Yearly Meeting, and some meet- 
ings in Maryland and Virginia. From 1805 to 
1810, he was mostly engaged in visiting meet- 
ings belonging to North Carolina Yearly Meet- 
ing, and appointing meetings within the limits 
of the difierent Quarterly Meetings, and some 
out from amongst Friends. In the year 1810 
he obtained a certificate liberating him to per- 
form a religious visit to the inhabitants of 
Western Virginia, the Middle States, some In- 



8 A TESTIMONY 

dian tribes, Canada, and the eastern parts of 
New England ; which visit he performed in the 
year 1811. In this year he removed from Pine 
Woods, and settled near Springfield, in Guil- 
ford county, of which Monthly Meeting he con- 
tinued a member during the rest of his life. 
From 1811 to 1814 his religious services were 
within the limits of North Carolina Yearly 
Meeting in attending meetings, visiting fami- 
lies, and appointing meetings from amongst 
Friends. In the year 1814 he obtained a cer- 
tificate and performed a religious visit to 
Friends in parts of Virginia, Pennsylvania, 
Ohio, and Indiana, and in the year 1815 he 
performed a religious visit to the inhabitants 
of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and 
elsewhere. 

During the years 1816 and 1817, he was 
mostly engaged in appointing meetings in the 
adjacent neighbourhoods, and attending the 
Western and Westfield Quarterly Meetings. 

In the year 1818, he obtained the necessary 
certificates liberating him to perform a religious 



CONCERNING NATHAN HUNT. 9 

visit to Friends and others in Great Britain and 
Ireland ; but, in consequence of affliction in his 
family, he was prevented from performing said 
visit until the years 1820 and 1821, in which 
years that service was accomplished. 

From 1822 to 1831, his religious services 
were mostly within the limits of North Caro- 
lina Yearly Meeting, during which time he 
twice visited Bush Kiver Meeting in South 
Carolina, and once to Newborn and Beaufort. 

In 1831, being under appointment from the 
Yearly Meeting to attend Virginia Yearly 
Meeting, and a General Conference of Friends 
in Philadelphia, he obtained a certificate and 
performed a religious visit to the Yearly Meet- 
ings in Virginia, New England, and Ohio, and 
appointed meetings on his way going and re- 
turning. From all these visits he returned with 
satisfactory testimonials of the unity of Friends 
among whom he travelled. 

In the year 1832, he obtained a certificate 
to perform a religious visit to Indiana Yearly 
Meeting and some of the meetings constituting 



10 A TESTIMONY 

it, but on account of bodily infirmity he was 
unable to perform the visit. 

From this time he travelled but little from 
home; but often attended in Truth's service 
the meetings in the adjacent country, and while 
at Raleigh, under appointment from the Yearly 
Meeting, he appointed a meeting in that city. 

It may be proper here to remark, that on 
the 27th of 7th month, 1829, he experienced 
another affecting dispensation in the death of 
his beloved wife, after which he continued to 
reside with his son Thomas, until the year 
1848, when he went to reside with his son-in- 
law, Joshua Stanley, at Centre. He was ever 
diligent in the faithful attendance of his reli- 
gious meetings, wherein he was often led to 
labour in the power of Truth. In the latter 
years of his life, through age and infirmity he 
was unable to attend religious meetings, yet 
he was green in old age, enjoying the company 
of Friends, and instant in exhorting his child- 
ren and all who came to visit him, to improve 
time while they had it, in attending to the still 



CONCERNING NATHAN HUNT. 11 

small voice in their own hearts, acknowledging 
that Truth had been his shield and buckler, his 
bow and battle-axe, through the many tribula- 
tions that had fallen to his lot. 

He was sound in doctrine ; his ministry was 
profound, deep, and searching, to the awaken- 
ing and arousing of the lukewarm ; but as the 
oil and the wine to the rightly exercised. And 
having himself drunk deep of the cup of adver- 
sity, he was ever ready to speak a word in 
season to those who were weary and heavy 
laden. 

He was faithful in the maintenance of the 
Discipline of the Church, and active in the 
transaction of all business relating to it. He 
was ever ready to advise and counsel those 
who were labouring under discouragements, and 
prompt in reproving all manner of disorder, 
and to labour with offenders in the love and 
meekness of a Christian. Of him might well 
be adopted the language of Enoch, ^Hhat he 
walked with God." In the midst of his varied 
engagements, he was especially careful not to 



12 A TESTIMONY 

neglect the primary duty of private retire- 
ment for prayer and self-examination. In his 
private walks he was ever ready to advise and 
admonish those with whom he associated. He 
was kind and affectionate, and easy in his 
manners, scrupulously careful properly to use 
the plain Scripture language in all his conver- 
sation. He was remarkable for his liberality 
and charitableness in all the private walks of 
life. He was an ardent admirer of proper and 
useful education, and liberal in the support of 
schools. For although he by no means ac- 
knowledged the necessity of human learning as 
a qualification for the ministry, or any other 
station in the Church, yet he believed it highly 
important that all the powers of the mind, both 
intellectual and moral, should be duly trained 
and cultivated ; and feeling the need of educa- 
tion himself, he was the more earnest in his 
efforts to procure for the rising generation 
those advantages which had been withheld 
from him. He, from the first, took a deep in- 
terest in the establishment and maintenance of 



CONCERNING NATHAN HUNT, 13 

our Boarding School, and after the Institution 
went into operation he was frequently there 
exhorting both the oflScers and students to a 
proper discharge of their respective duties ; and 
we believe the influence he exerted at such 
times has not been without its effect on the 
subsequent character of those who were thus 
privileged to associate with him. He was 
much concerned in the latter part of his life to 
exhort his children and friends to faithfulness 
in improving the time and talents committed 
to their trust. He evinced a great concern 
for the welfare of the Church, and for the pre- 
servation of society, that it might not slide into 
the vain customs, maxims, and favours of the 
world. And after having stood more than 
sixty years as a minister, a faithful watchman, 
and a father and a pillar in the Church, he 
laid down his head in peace, and doubtless is 
gathered with the righteous of all generations, 
whose example seems to say to survivors, Come 
follow me, as I have endeavoured to follow 
Christ. 



14 A TESTIMONY CONCERNING NATHAN HUNT. 

His last sickness was of a very distressing 
nature, being a cancerous tumour, which had 
been for several years past making its appear- 
ance at times on the side of his face. A few 
months previous to his death, it assumed a 
very malignant character, causing extreme 
pain and most trying restlessness, so that he 
was unable to sleep much ; yet frequent ejacu- 
lations were heard from him, and short sen- 
tences, showing where his mind was centered. 
He said he should "be with Moses and the 
Lamb,'' and called for his good Shepherd to 
come and take him away. 

And on second-day morning, the 8th day of 
8th month, 1853, he quietly passed away, as 
going into a sweet sleep ; and on fourth-day, the 
10th of the month, his remains were conveyed 
to Springfield, on which occasion a meeting 
was held, which was attended by a large con- 
course of people, after which he was interred 
in Friends' burying-ground there. He was, 
at the time of his death, in the 95th year of 
his age. 



A BRIEF MEMOIR 

OP 

NATHAN HUNT, 

CHIEFLY EXTRACTED FROM HIS LETTERS AND JOURNAL. 



How instructive and how animating it is, to 
contemplate the steps of those dedicated ser- 
vants of the Lord Jesus, who have been as 
way-marks on the road to Zion ; for " the path 
of the just is as a shining light — shining more 
and more unto the perfect day/' Perhaps few 
individuals in the society of which he was so 
long a dignified and honoured member, have 
been more extensively known or more gene- 
rally beloved and valued than the subject of 
this little memoir ; and though the greater part 
of his contemporaries have long since passed 
away, there are many still remaining who well 
remember the erect and manly form of the 
aged Christian, his plain drab clothes, dark 

(15) 



16 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

vest, the striking outline of his noble counte- 
nance, his broad and open forehead, shaded 
with silvery locks — but most of all his cour- 
teous demeanour, his simple but polite and 
graceful manner, and that best ornament, "dt, 
meek and quiet spirit,'' which was indeed so 
eminently his ; and some no doubt there are, 
who can recall his hospitable but humble habi- 
tation — behold him as the venerated head of 
his own family, dispensing a sweet influence of 
peace and joy on all around him. His heart 
was filled with the love of the everlasting 
Gospel, in which he could salute as brethren, 
the whole family of man. He knew that " the 
end of the commandment is charity ;'' out of a 
pure heart and a good conscience and faith 
unfeigned,'' and the expressive language of his 
life and conversation might be said to be, " we 
are journeying to the land of which the Lord 
our God hath said, I will give it you. Come 
thou with us, and we will do thee good ; for 
God hath spoken good concerning Israel." 

Being naturally of a diffident, retiring dispo- 
sition, and fearful of saying much of himself, he 
has left but few memoranda ; yet by the aid of 
these and some truly characteristic letters of 
early and later date, we may be able to furnish 



TRAITS OP CHARACTER. 17 

a brief outline of his somewhat chequered path 
to everlasting blessedness. It may also be well 
to enumerate a few of the distinguishing traits 
of his character, as they impressed the writer of 
this little sketch, who had many opportunities 
of becoming intimately acquainted with him. 
He had naturally a clear and comprehensive 
mind, a vigorous intellect, and sound discrimi- 
nating judgment ; but very few advantages of 
education. Indeed he has been heard to say, 
that the principal part of the learning he had, 
was acquired by the light of a "pine-knot" as 
he sat with his brothers and sisters round the 
family hearth, when the day's work was done. 
He was, however, deeply instructed in the 
school of Christ ; and with the salutary disci- 
pline of the cross, he was made familiar from 
his early childhood. In later life there was a 
striking gravity and dignity about the dear old 
man, and at times a deep introversion of spirit 
which seemed to check the least approach to 
lightness and frivolity, and spread a holy quiet- 
ness on all around him ; so that it might with 
great propriety be said of him^ as it was of the 
excellent founder of the Society of Friends, 
^' His very presence expressed a religious ma- 
jesty." This seriousness, however, was beau- 

2 



18 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

tifuUy blended "with Christian cheerfulness ; 
for he well knew what it was to wash and 
anoint in the presence of his brethren, while 
plunged into deep and humbling exercise of 
soul before the Lord — remembering the Apos- 
tolic injunction, "Rejoice evermore, and in all 
things give thanks." One little incident may 
serve to illustrate the wisdom and discretion 
which might be said to govern all his actions. 
A short time previous to his attaining the age 
of fourscore, he resigned his seat at the head 
of the meeting, observing that he felt best 
satisfied to do so, while still in the possession 
of his mental faculties, lest he might be in- 
clined to retain it when they became impaired, 
and when he was no longer able to discern the 
true time for closing the meeting. 

His grandchildren appear to have been a 
constant pleasure to him. In many of his 
letters to his friends, he has given graphic pic- 
tures of his little pets ; and there are those 
who can remember to have seen the aged pil- 
grim sitting at the door of his humble dwelling 
leaning on the top of his staff, and watching 
with deep interest their childish gambols, while 
his benign yet grave and thoughtful coun- 
tenance seemed to express the patriarchal bene- 



FAMILY SITTINGS. 19 

diction, '^ The God who has fed me all my life 
long unto this day, the angel which redeemed 
me from all evil, bless the lads." 

Though free from sectarianism, he was 
warmly attached to those who were of the 
same household of faith, and the welfare of the 
society in which he esteemed it a privilege to 
have had a birthright membership, continued 
to the close of his life, to be very near to his 
heart. The practice of retirement and silent- 
waiting before the Lord, was one which he 
assiduously cultivated in himself and strongly 
recommended to his friends. 

Many who have been inmates of his hospi- 
table dwelling, can now recall the serious and 
emphatic manner in which the evening chapter 
was read ; and then the solemn stillness that 
succeeded, broken at times by an expression 
of thanksgiving for their many mercies, or an 
impressive exhortation to the little grand- 
children collected round him. To these he 
usually put questions on the chapter they had 
heard ; and when this season was over^ which 
was often one of real refreshment, he would 
take an affectionate leave, and opening the 
door into his little bed-room retire without a 
light, and there pass many an hour (we cannot 



20 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

doubt) in sweet and heavenly communion ; for 
when his household met him on the following 
day, the precious influence of his gathered 
spirit seemed to be shed like holy dew upon 
them, giving an evidence that he had been 
with Jesus. 

Possessing an uncommon share of native 
eloquence, and dwelling very near to the alone 
source of all true gospel ministry, he was in- 
deed enabled to " do the work of an Evangel- 
ist," and there was such an unction and fresh- 
ness attending his religious communications, 
they often made a deep impression on those 
that heard them. A valued friend who was 
engaged in a religious visit to North Carolina 
a few years before the death of this dedicated 
Christian, gives the following vivid description 
of him : — " The aged patriarch, Nathan Hunt, 
is now in his ninetieth year, and as to bodily 
power is feeble and infirm, walking slowly and 
bendingly, with a stick. His memory, also, espe- 
cially with regard to recent events, is a little 
impaired — but there he sits, in his arm-chair, 
by the crackling fire, the veteran soldier of 
Christ — his heart still warm with love to the 
cause, his tongue still eloquent in thanksgiv- 
ing and praise. ' I have much to be thankful 



EARLY LIFE. 21 

for/ said the old champion, ' my very heart 
feels it — I love to see the Lord's messengers 
under my roof, or rather the roof of my child- 
ren. My soul is still exercised for the peace 
and prosperity of Zion' (his eyes filling with 
tears.) His spiritual faculties and perceptions 
are remarkably clear, and he converses with an 
unfaltering voice about the things of the king- 
dom. His remarks are pertinent, his words 
seasoned with grace. It is truly cheering to 
see an aged pilgrim thus bright in the midst of 
years, with a cheerful spirit and a thankful 
heart, peacefully waiting for the coming of his 
Lord — having fought the good fight, kept the 
faith, and well nigh finished his course, still 
magnifying, not himself^ but his office, and 
ascribing all the glory unto Him in whom he 
has believed, and from whom he humbly hopes 
to receive that crown of righteousness which is 
laid up for all who love His appearing. I find 
it good to be here ; there is a solid satisfaction 
in thus witnessing the power of true religion." 
The account of his early life may be given 
in his own words: — ^'I was born," said he, 
" in the neighbourhood of New Garden meet- 
ing-house, the 26th day of tenth month, 1758. 
My worthy parents, William and Sarah Hunt, 



22 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

were both members of the Society of Friends, 
the former a valuable minister among them. 
He died whilst on a religious visit to England, 
at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, in the thirty-ninth year 
of his age, leaving a widow and eight child- 
ren, of whom I was the third, and in my four- 
teenth year, when my father died. I well remem- 
ber his pious instructions, and my being humbled 
under them in early life. Something of a 
solemn nature seemed to overspread my mind. 
I loved to be alone ; and at the age of seven 
years I was impressed with the belief that if I 
was faithful, I should one day have to preach 
the Gospel. I was, by nature, very volatile, 
and much inclined to childish lightness, but I 
can remember that my mind was often very 
seriously impressed, while sitting in religious 
meetings, attending funerals, and on other 
similar occasions. When about twelve or thir- 
teen years of age, while in the circle of my 
youthful friends, and the ringleader of their 
mirth and jollity, I have, at different times, 
been broken into tears, and had to leave them 
suddenly. A very reaching visitation, when 
about seventeen, I well remember. A renewed 
view of being called to the work of the min- 
istry, so clearly presented to my mind, I some- 



HIS MARRIAGE. 23 

times thought the time had come for me to 
speak in meetings, but for want of abiding 
under the solemn weight, I gradually got off 
into association with my jovial companions 
again, and the impression grew fainter ; but 
through the whole of this period there were 
frequent renewals of these solemn feelings, 
giving me the humble hope that notyrithstand- 
ing my rebellion, I was not forsaken. And I 
was mercifully preserved^ even in my greatest 
departure from what the world would term 
gross evils, and also in plainness and simpli- 
city of speech and apparel. When twenty 
years of age, I married Martha Ruckman, and 
we continued to reside on the same spot where 
I was born. I was now introduced into a new 
sphere of life. This had a serious effect upon 
me, feeling the importance of my situation ; 
but nothing worthy of remark occurred until I 
had been married several months, when my 
mind was awakened and tendered by the very 
sudden removal of my valued mother. She 
went to bed in usual health, and was disco- 
vered by my sister in the morning in a lifeless 
state. I had attended meetings pretty con- 
stantly most of my life, but now I was still 
more regular in the attendance of them, and 



24 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

when in them great seriousness often came over 
me. About this time I was placed in imminent 
danger ; within an hair's breadth of being called 
into eternity. ***** 

" This introduced me into very serious consi- 
deration on the uncertainty of time, and an 
increase of concern prevailed, that I might be 
in readiness to meet the change, come when it 
might. While sitting in religious meetings, at 
this period, a scripture text frequently opened 
before me with great clearness, but through 
diffidence and fear I refused to give up, often 
sitting under such weight that the bench shook 
under me; and whilst this deep exercise was 
upon me 1 was afflicted with sickness nigh unto 
death. My friends and connexions stood by 
my bed-side, expecting every hour would be my 
last." 

He then describes a vision he had, in which 
a large field of service was opened before him, 
in the New England States, and thus pro- 
ceeds : — 

^' I then returned to myself again, and 
seemed so revived that I told my wife I should 
live. It appeared clear to me I should be 
called to the work of the ministry, and labour 
in that part of the vineyard. My health and 



APPEARANCE IN THE MINISTRY. 25 

strength were rapidly restored, and after pass- 
ing through great suffering, on account of the 
reluctance of nature to yield, I finally gave up 
to what appeared to be required of me, and in 
the twenty-seventh year of my age spoke a 
very few words in a meeting in Tennessee, 
which brought great peace and comfort into my 
mind. The first time I appeared in my own 
meeting, so great was my brokenness of spirit, 
that as I walked towards home tears fell from 
my eyes like drops of rain. In the thirty-first 
year of my age my wife deceased, leaving me 
six small children, the eldest ten years old, the 
youngest but eight days. Her peace was made, 
her close was a triumphant one, but I was left 
to mourn the loss of an amiable and kind com- 
panion. My situation was a very trying one. 
I had considerable difficulty in bringing up my 
children, and in a little more than three years 
afterward married my second wife. Her name 
was Prudence Thornburgh. She was a true 
helpmate to me, and a tender mother to my 
children, always giving me up with cheerful- 
ness to attend to my religious engagements, 
and encouraging me in them, taking the charge 
of my concerns at home, and managing them 
with much ability. She was for many years 



26 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

in the station of an elder, and set a good ex- 
ample in the regular attendance of all our reli- 
gious meetings. 

^' About the thirty-fifth year of my age, I 
was acknowledged as a minister, and after this 
I frequently attended neighbouring meetings ; 
but the first journey that I made of any length 
was in the year 1797, to Georgia and South 
Carolina. Being under great exercise of mind, 
on account of leaving my beloved family, who 
were dependent on the labour of my hands, 
one day, while following my plough, I heard a 
voice distinctly say to me, ' Go, and thou shalt 
lack nothing, and they shall be cared for in 
thy absence.' The impression was so convinc- 
ing that I instantly gave up, accepting it as an 
intimation from the Lord that he would make 
way for me, and take care of them. At the 
next Monthly Meeting I opened the prospect 
to my friends, who cordially united with it, and 
furnished me with the necessary certificates. I 
laboured day and night to obtain a little money 
to defray the expenses of my journey ; but the 
sum thus collected was by no means suflScient 
for the purpose, and I left my home relying on 
the promise that I should lack nothing," 

[Having attended many meetings in Georgia 



VISIT TO NEW ENGLAND. 27 

and Carolina, and met with some remarkable 
confirmations of his faith, he says : — 

" Returning home, I found my family well, 
and all things comfortable, having the same 
sum in my pocket I had on leaving home, from 
which I had been absent about six weeks, and 
travelled above seven hundred miles, thus 
strengthening my trust and confidence in him 
who yet remains to be a covenant-keeping God, 
having so wonderfully fulfilled the promise made 
me at the plough, ' Go, and thou shalt lack no- 
thing, thou nor thine.' " 

In allusion to the great openness he met with 
in the course of his journey, N. H. remarks : — 

" 0, the necessity for an indwelling among 
Friends, that they might carefully uphold our 
testimonies, and gather to, rather than scatter 
from us. In the year 1799, in the eleventh 
month, I laid a prospect before the Monthly 
Meeting to visit in Gospel love the Northern 
and Eastern States, which was freely united 
with. 

" My circumstances were still very limited, 
and I felt it a hard thing to forsake my wife in 
her then trying situation, but trusting in the 
promises of Him who never yet had failed to 
help and strengthen me, I set out peacefully 



28 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

on my journey, remembering the vision that 1 
had upon my bed respecting this part of the 
heritage, which I before alluded to, and which 
was most remarkably fulfilled during my visit 
to the Eastern States. 

" The prospect of this journey altogether, 
and more especially, perhaps, my going into 
Philadelphia (which I had long considered a 
great place, famous for men of erudition, while 
I had but little school education), was, as may 
be supposed, a very humbling one. But He 
who put me forth was mouth and wisdom, tongue 
and utterance, which seemed an answer to my 
constant prayer that this might be the case, feel- 
ing deeply sensible that my entire dependence 
must be on him, and that without his aid I could 
do nothing. So great and wonderful was his 
assistance, that many hardly could believe I had 
not received a good education. Blessed be his 
name for ever ! My Heavenly Father has been 
gracious to me beyond what I could ask or think." 

From 1800 to 1810, N. H. was frequently 
engaged in the service of his Divine Master, 
chiefly within the limits of his own Yearly 
Meeting, except that, in 1805, he visited most 
of the meetings constituting Baltimore and 
Virginia Yearly Meetings. 



MEETINGS WITH THE INDIANS. 29 

"1810—1 laid before my Monthly Meeting a 
concern to visit the western parts of Virginia, 
Pennsylvania, and New York (some Indian 
tribes at Buffalo and Cattaraugus, and at Cold 
Spring Village), all the Friends' Meetings that 
were then in Canada, and some particular 
places in New England. In the back parts 
of Pennsylvania, I had many difficulties to en- 
counter — receiving, too, some tokens of Apos- 
tleship * In perils in the wilderness, hunger 
and thirst,' &c. ; but in, and through them all, 
my gracious Helper marvellously sustained 
me, bringing me forth to magnify his name. 
During our stay at Cold Spring Village, we 
had two remarkable meetings with the Indians ; 
the great solemnity prevailing was very re- 
markable throughout the meeting, and in the 
time of supplication I thought I never felt a 
covering more solemn rest on an assembly 
anywhere — they seemed to feel what was peti* 
tioned for them. The one at Cattaraugus was 
not quite so satisfactory ; and when at Buffalo, 
the Indians had gone out hunting, so that we 
could not easily have them called, but had a 
large and favoured meeting with the people of 
the town. 



80 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

Meetings in Canada were very trying, the state 
of society was low indeed. From thence I 
went on to the states of Vermont, Connecticut, 
Rhode Island; so on to New Bedford and 
l^antucket, in both which places I visited all 
the families of Friends ; from thence returned 
homeward, taking meetings in New York, New 
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and Virginia, 
and through all, the Lord preserved me mer- 
cifully and wonderfully — ' Blessed for ever be 
his worthy name.' 

" In the first month of 1814, 1 got permission 
from my Monthly Meeting to visit families of 
Springfield Monthly Meeting, which visit I 
performed to the peace of my own mind. In 
the same year I visited parts of Virginia, Penn- 
sylvania, Ohio, and Indiana, as way appeared 
to open, with the full unity and approbation 
of my friends at home, in the performance of 
which I experienced many deep baptisms and 
close provings, had many large and truly fa- 
voured meetings, sometimes laid very low, and 
then raised up again ; frequently introduced 
into humbling consideration of the great neces- 
sity of a living, Gospel, ministry ; and that we, 
who are engaged as ambassadors for Christ, 



MEETING AT DAYTON. 31 

might be faithful in all things to our divine 
Master, was the earnest breathing of my soul. 
My mind was often tried with the great dispo- 
sion of the people to look outward, craving for 
words, and I was sometimes led to sit in 
silence a long time, until their expectation had 
somewhat subsided, and then I was enabled 
oftentimes to show to them the need there is 
of centering down in solemn stillness, that we 
might be fed with the true bread which cometh 
down from heaven, and can alone sustain the 
immortal soul, and nourish it up unto eternal 
life ; quoting our blessed Lord's expression to 
the woman whom he met at Jacob's well. At 
a large public meeting that I had at Dayton, 
there was a company of soldiers present, and I 
was led to open the great difference between a 
carnal warfare and a spiritual one, leaving the 
widows and the fatherless to mourn ; and while 
engaged upon the subject, I observed the cap- 
tain's countenance to flush exceedingly, and 
when I proceeded to point out the awful con- 
sequences of war, it seemed to be too much 
for him to bear. He rose and left the house, 
though all his men continued to the close, 
which was a very solemn and impressive one 



82 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

I think the captain felt no resentment towards 
me, but that his heart was broken into tender- 
ness, under the awfully convicting power of 
truth. After an absence of about seven months, 
I was again restored to my dear family, and 
found them all in comfortable health — a re- 
newed cause for gratitude and thankfulness to 
him who is the Author of all our sure mercies. 
Returned my minute to the Monthly Meeting, 
with testimonials from the various places I had 
visited of unity and concurrence therein. 

" On the 4th of 2d month, 1815, I obtained 
a minute from my friends at home to visit parts 
of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, and 
elsewhere, if the way should open. I set out 
under fear and trembling, but was favoured to 
perform the visit to the relief and comfort of 
my own mind ; and I returned said minute to 
my Monthly Meeting, accompanied with certi- 
ficates from the Meeting of Ministers and 
Elders in Philadelphia, dated from the 15th to 
the 21st of 4th month, 1815 ; an endorsement 
from Abington Quarter ; one from Concord 
Quarter ; one from Cain ; one from Bucks 
Quarter ; one from Haddonfield, New Jersey ; 
and one from Monallan Monthly Meeting, set- 



VISIT TO ENGLAND. 33 

ting forth that my labours among them had 
been satisfactory and edifying." 

From this period to the year 1818, this dedi- 
cated servant continued to be actively employed 
in his Master's vineyard, repeatedly visiting the 
different meetings in his own country, particu- 
larly those belonging to the Yearly Meeting of 
which he was a member, being often led into 
the exercising work of family visiting ; and now 
he felt his mind drawn by the irresistible influ- 
ences of heavenly love to " go and see how his 
brethren fared" on the other side of the At- 
lantic. 

In reference to this weighty undertaking, he 
says :— " On the 9th day of 9th month, 1818, 
I spread before the Friends of my Monthly 
Meeting a concern which had weightily im- 
pressed my mind for several years, bringing it 
many times into deep and serious conflict, to 
perform in Gospel love a visit to the inhabit- 
ants of Great Britain and Ireland, w^ith which 
my friends expressed entire unity. But about 
the time I expected to set out, my beloved wife 
was seized with a paralytic aff*ection, and other 
trials and difiiculties arose, causing me to pass 
through suffering which I cannot describe, and 
delaying my journey till the following spring. 



34 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

Howeverj I left my home in the 4th month 
of 1820, proceeding on towards Philadelphia, 
attending several meetings on my way, and 
getting to New York in time to attend the 
Yearly Meeting there, embarked soon after the 
conclusion of it. * * * * 

" In looking over my past life, I feel dis- 
posed to commemorate the goodness of my 
Heavenly Father, in having wonderfully pre- 
served me in times of imminent danger. Once, 
when about to cross the river Ennoree, in South 
Carolina, in a flat, the water being very high, 
the ferryman put in his pole, and it became 
entangled in the rocks, and very soon was 
jerked out of his hands ; as he had neither pole 
nor oar to guide the flat with, we were driven 
down the stream with great rapidity, and it 
appeared as though we must be lost. The river 
making here a turn, however, brought us near 
the bank, and we were enabled to seize hold 
upon some limbs of trees, by which we very 
quickly stopped the boat. Had we proceeded 
a little further, a large tree, growing horizon- 
tally, would, in all human probability, have 
swept our horses overboard, at least, and not 
at all unlikely some of us. It was diflScult to 
climb the bank, it was so very steep, and if we 



PROVIDENTIAL ESCAPE. 35 

had been carried on a little further, I think it 
would have been impossible. There was an- 
other circumstance took place, when in the 
eastern parts of North Carolina, which I con- 
sider worthy of remark. In crossing a high 
bridge, over a watercourse, the water say from 
ten to twelve feet deep, my horses started and 
rushed forward, and breaking down the pillars 
of the banister, the tire of the front wheel was 
for a moment half-way off the bridge ; had it 
but gone half an inch further off, we must in- 
evitably have been drowned, but at this awful 
moment he was checked by an omnipotent and 
overruling Power, and several friends, who 
passed before us, seeing the fearful situation 
we were in, came instantly to our assistance, 
and turning round the horse on to the middle 
of the bridge, a strong man present tried to 
hold him there, but he again rushed furiously 
forward, and were it not for several trees that 
grew out of the bank, and held the carriage, 
which was thrown against them, we must have 
been precipitated off into the water. But no 
material damage was sustained, and I have ever 
looked upon it as a marvellous preservation of 
my Heavenly Father. * >k * * 
" How wonderful it is, that any human being 



36 MEMOIR or NATHAN HUNT. 

should entertain a doubt of the communion of 
the great Creator with his creature, man, some 
saying that he has revealed his will to us in 
Holy Scriptures, and therefore there is no ne- 
cessity for further intercourse. But surely we 
must doubt the evidence of our senses if we 
disbelieve his immediate revelations to the soul. 
One or two strong confirmations of it just occur 
to me. A person, not a member of our Society, 
married a Friend, and though she afterwards 
inclined to attend the meeting she had been 
accustomed to, he very much opposed her in it, 
saying she might unite herself to any sect ex- 
cept the Quakers^ and he would join her. This 
tried her very much, and in this time of con- 
flict and close proving, I had a meeting at a 
place called Freehold, a mile or two from where 
this person lived. His wife had a desire to go 
to it, and she prevailed upon him to accompany 
her. I had another meeting in the evening at 
Bordentown, to which they also came, and while 
we were at breakfast, on the following day, he 
and his wife stepped in. Immediately my feel- 
ings became arrested, and I could eat but very 
little more. I drew my chair a small space 
from the table, and soon a very solemn pause 
ensued, when, turning towards them, my mind 



INCIDENTS. 37 

was opened in a striking manner to address 
them both. It seemed to have a powerful effect 
upon the man, especially, and though he was a 
stranger to me, I afterwards was told that he 
entirely denied that the Almighty held com- 
munion with his creatures, but after this he 
gave it up completely, and said that if the very 
secrets of his heart had not been told him, 
which he had never in his life revealed to any 
one, he might have doubted still ; but here was 
demonstration irresistible, and he surrendered 
freely, and became a worthy member and re- 
spected elder in that Society he had despised, 
his wife a most acceptable and valued minister. 
"Another striking incident occurred while on 
the Eastern Shore of Maryland. I had a meet- 
ing in a town in which no Friends resided, and 
held it in a house belonging to the Methodists. 
There was a large assembly gathered there, and 
after sitting for some time in silence, I thought 
it right to rise and address them, which having 
done for a short space of time, I seemed checked 
suddenly, and led to speak to a particular state, 
and when that closed, the subject that I rose 
with opened clearly, and I went on till I re- 
lieved my mind. At the conclusion of the meet- 
ing I returned to our inn, and my companion, 



38 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

passing from the meeting-house another way, I 
tarried for some time before he came. When 
he arrived, I asked him what detained him. He 
said, that as the people left the house there was 
an aged man went to his son-in-law, and very 
angrily addressed him thus : ' You have inform- 
ed the Friend what accusations I am lying 
under.' He answered that he never saw me in 
his life before, and had communicated nothing 
to me. This altercation lasted for some time, 
the old man still insisting, in a boisterous tone, 
' You did, I know you did, inform him of it.' 

" These circumstances have been humbling 
to me, under the full persuasion of the Truth 
(however much the worldly-wise may sneer), 
that nothing short of a Divine unfolding on 
the soul could thus ' have shown to man what 
his thought was,' when I, the poor unworthy 
instrument, was wholly unacquainted with the 
fact. May all glory, and honour, and praise 
be ascribed unto Him to whom alone they are 
due, both now and for evermore ! 

^' And at this moment as remarkable a circum- 
stance as any of the three I have related, has 
been afresh revived in my remembrance. In 
1802, while in attendance on the Yearly Meet- 
ing of Virginia, I had a public meeting at 



MEETING AT BLACKWATER. 39 

Blackwater, where I was led to speak in an 
impressive manner on the uncertainty of time, 
the insufficiency of worldly wealth, and the 
transitory nature of all earthly things, predict- 
ing solemnly, that death was near^ and quoting 
this text, from Jeremiah 17th chapter and 11th 
verse : " As the partridge sitteth on eggs, and 
hatcheth them not ; so he that getteth riches, 
and not by right, shall leave them in the midst 
of his days, and in the end be a fool.'' It was 
a very solemn opportunity, and there were 
many present broken into tears. 

A few weeks after this, I heard that three 
young men belonging to the wealthiest family 
in that neighbourhood, had been removed by 
death since I was there. These were all pre- 
sent at the meeting, I well knew, as I had 
lodged during my visit to the Yearly Meeting 
at their father's house. 

[These memoranda extend no farther, with 
the exception of a few remarks that were made 
on his return from England ; but the subjoined 
letters, written at different periods, from the 
year 1800 to 1841, will in some measure supply 
the deficiency.] 



40 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 



Bedford, 4th mo. 6, 1800. 
Most near and dearly beloved Wife : 

With feelings of affection do I salute thee ; 
thou hast been brought near to my best life, 
and in that true sympathy which those who are 
thus united feel for each other. Stand fast, 
dear heart, in that which has enabled thee to 
give up all that was most precious to thee. If 
I 'jould have laid down my life when I left 
you, it would have been a sweet thing to me in 
comparison to drinking of the wormwood and 
the gall that I was then, and still am, sensible 
must be my portion. 

My dear children, I beseech you, remember 
the frequent entreaties of your father, and be 
steady to your business, to your home, and to 
your learning ; dwell together in love, being 
exceeding kind and tender to your mother, and 
do nothing without her counsel. 

I cannot doubt the propriety of the move- 
ment, though very trying to poor dust and 
ashes. 

We have been favoured with assurance of 
Divine regard. Dear Barnabas is, I believe, 
rightly bound in the yoke ; when I go down 
into the deeps, I feel him to go down with me. 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 41 

In much near aflfection to thee and the dear 
children, I rem am 

Thine in love, 

Nathan Hunt. 



Newport (R. I.), 6th mo. 15, 1800. 
Dearly beloved Wife : 

I salute thee in the cordial Sowings of that 
love that knows no bounds ; incessant are my 
mental breathings to the Great Supreme that 
he may guard thee round by day and night ; 
keep thee in perfect peace, and that no evil 
danger may come near thee. 

We have had many meetings in this state ; 
some of them large, and seasons of great favour. 
I have no room to doubt I am right in being 
here. I expect to go pretty directly on to at- 
tend the Quarterly Meeting at Nantucket, and 
thence eastward as the way may open. I re- 
ceived thy very affecting letter, dated the 18th 
of last month, in twenty-four days from under 
thy precious hand ; though the melancholy 
news of the decease of dear Charity* is truly 
moving, yet the resigned state of thy mind is 
more precious to me than the increase of corn, 

* Charity Cook. 



42 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

winGj or oil. I believe as thou art thus stayed 
upon the Lord, he will stay thee with flagons, 
and comfort thee with the apples of his love. 
I feel no greater solicitude for my own soul than 
for thine ; then mayest thou be established on 
the sure foundation, far above all those fluc- 
tuating things that in the least degree occasion 
thee uneasiness. 

I have had two public meetings in this place ; 
it was supposed there were three thousand per- 
sons present. Blessed be the name of the Lord ! 
His helping-hand was near. I had a memora- 
ble family-sitting here with many Friends ; a 
living minister, before we separated, said he 
had never sat under such a Gospel shower. 
With tears of deep humility I mention this for 
thy encouragement. It is best to make but 
few friends in showing my letters; but when 
thou feelest an entire freedom with those who 
would be more sympathizing than speculative, 
indulge them. Love to the dear children. 
From thy sincere and aS*ectionate 

N. Hunt. 

Nantucket, Gth mo. 28th, 1800. 
Affectionately beloved Wife : 

Nothing could separate me from thee but 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 43 

the precious testimony of Truth given unto me 
to bear (as pledges of the Heavenly Father's 
love unto the people), which is nearer unto me 
than my own life. We came here yesterday — • 
a day of the most tranquil repose that I have 
had since I left home. I was not sea-sick in 
the least. My peace of mind did not continue 
long ; almost as soon as I landed on this island, 
my spirit was bowed down under renewed and 
weighty exercise, till my heart was melted 
within me, and I retired to conceal my tears. 
I was drawn to feel after the aged, the widows, 
and the fatherless ; the sick and the afflicted, 
with all of whom this place abounds. Spent 
yesterday in visiting them in their solitary 
dwellings, and believed it was an acceptable 
sacrifice unto the great Parent of mankind. 1 
am using all diligence to make my way through 
my allotted portion of labour, which seems not 
likely to be very small. I am sometimes fa- 
voured with a comfortable hope, that if I go on 
labouring faithfully in these Eastern states, my 
Master will then release me to return to you 
without much service in the Northern states, 
though I desire not to be mine own carver, 
nor to please myself; remembering that the 
time is hastening when it will be of little con- 



44 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

sequence to any of us whether we dwelt to- 
gether or apart, so that our close may be a 
peaceful one — our setting sun go down without 
a cloud. Dear children, every faculty of my 
soul is stirred up for you that you may be 
good. Write to me every week. 
Affectionately, 

Nathan Hunt. 



Hudson, 10th mo. 13, 1800. 
Dearly beloved Wife : 

Although I cannot be gratified in hearing 
from thee as often as would be desirable, yet I 
take a secret satisfaction in granting unto thee 
every indulgence in my power. I arrived in 
this city last evening, and to-night expect to 
have an interview with thousands of the people. 
John Hull, who has been my companion for 
four months past, has taken leave of me, so 
that I am now surrounded by strangers only. 
For some time past, I have almost been worn 
out with labour and hard travelling ; but am 
now recruited, although feeling great solicitude 
on thy account, fearing thou art exposed to 
many trials. Stand fast, my love and life, my 
joy and crown of rejoicing ; although beset- 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 45 

ment may surround thee, yet bear with patience 
all the turnings of the holy Hand, that He may 
purely purge away the dross. This I desire for 
myself and all that is mine, that when we meet 
no intervening cloud may dim our joy. With 
much near affection to wife and children, I 
remain, 

Yours in the Lord, 

N. Hunt. 



Philadelphia, 2d ino. 3, 1801. 
Near and dearly beloved : 

In that sweet spring of love that is ancient 
and yet new, I salute thee this morning. How 
often do I visit thee both in thy lying down 
and in thy rising up, as well as when thou goest 
to Mount Gilboa, where there is neither dew 
nor rain, nor field of offering, and where thou 
findest the river to break forth in high places, 
and springs in the valleys, I walk beside thee. 
Absence has only the tendency to strengthen 
the bands of love, and it is only by the right 
hand of His righteousness that we are sustained 
through this state of trial and vicissitude. 

I am right well in health, considering the 
abundant labour that falls to my lot, and I be- 



46 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

lleve I may acknowledge, with propriety, the 
Lord is with me. He hath brought me through 
many deep provings, and I think hath given 
me a comfortable assurance that He will take 
care of thee and the little ones, as you look 
unto him with singleness of eye. There is no 
possibility of describing the desire I feel to be 
with you ; sometimes it seems as if I could not 
bear it longer ; but dare not attempt to stir till 
the great Master bids me. If I did I should 
only be a burden to you ; therefore let us abide 
in the patience till the right time comes. 
Friends are exceeding kind to me. My home 
is with my beloved P. and A. Barker, who spare 
no pains to make me comfortable. 

I expect to leave this place on 6th day, go 
down through Delaware and the Eastern and 
Western Shores of Maryland, so on to Balti- 
more. Think it not likely, as the star now 
moves, that I shall see you till after the Yearly 
Meeting, in Virginia, in 5th month next. 
I am thy affectionate husband, 

Nathan Hunt. 

P. S. — Oh, that my dear children may walk 
in the ways of the Lord, in meekness and hu- 
mility. This would be my joy and crown of 
rejoicing, if I should live until declining life; 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 47 

more to me, truly, than thousands of rams or 
tens of thousands of rivers of oil, for I behold 
the folly and uncertainty of mundane things — 
how soon they will be done ! In tender aifec- 
tion beyond weight or measure, 
I am your parent, 

Nathan Hunt. 



Philadelphia, 4tli mo. 15, 1804. 
Nearly and dearly beloved Wife : 

In the cordial flowings of that love that often 
increased our joy into a river of pleasure, mak- 
ing hard things easy, and bitter cups sweet, I 
salute thee and all our beloved children with 
heartfelt solicitude that you may be the re- 
deemed of the Lord — plants of his own right 
hand planting — as much retired from the world 
as possible — sitting in the tent-door of watch- 
fulness, that you may be preserved from every- 
thing which might in any way hurt that pure 
seed which I desire above all other things to 
cherish in you. May you in every movement 
honour that calling for the sake of which I 
have left all, and am subjected to deep exer- 
cises, regarding not my life, so that I may win 
precious souls to Christ. 

We reached this place on 6th day evening. 



48 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

after a long and very toilsome journey ; but the 
kind reception we met with among Friends, 
quite overbalanced momentary trials. My be- 
loved P. and A. Barker manifest their usual 
care and kindness towards me. I am quite well 
in health, and measurably, I trust, resigned to 
my allotment. Attended select meeting yes- 
terday. It was a season of instruction, and I 
, felt much more disposed to hear than to be 
heard. Attended Pine Street Meeting on 1st 
day morning, and was opened from the words of 
Job : — " Man that is born of a woman is of few 
days and full of trouble ; he cometh forth like 
a flower and is cut down ; he fleeth away like a 
shadow, and tarrieth not." My beloved wife 
and children, I feel glowing affections of the 
tenderest kind to kindle in my heart for you — 
but what can I further say to invite, to entreat, 
to stimulate your minds towards your greatest, 
truest, and eternal interests ? You must do for 
yourselves, you must know for yourselves ; for 
if I knew all the mysteries of godliness, and 
daily imparted them, it would avail you no- 
thing unless you were acquainted with them 
for yourselves. 

Yours, in the Lord, 

Nathan Hunt. 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 49 



New York, 27th of 5th mo., 1804. 
Right near and dearly beloved Wife : 

With renewed impression of the warmest 
affection I am capable of experiencing I salute 
thee this morning, sincerely desiring thy pre- 
servation as on every hand, that all the avenues 
to thy precious soul may be guarded by the 
angel of peace, that no temptation may dis- 
quiet thee, well knowing the insidious wiles of 
the unwearied adversary, that he is always 
looking round to see if he can get an advan- 
tage over us ; and if he finds the poor mind off 
its guard, he then steps in and makes work for 
repentance. Oh ! this admits of no time for 
lightness, but calls on us to watch and pray, 
and that continually ; and here there is a pre- 
cious cheerfulness of soul that will support 
through every trial and vicissitude. Oh ! saith 
my soul, that all parts of my family may in- 
cline to seriousness. My beloved children, 
often reflect upon the dying charge of a great 
prince to his son, and consider it as though it 
were addressed to you: ^'Solomon, my son, 
know thou the God of thy fathers, and serve 
him with a perfect heart and willing mind. It 
thou seek him he will be found of thee, but if 

4 



50 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever." 
You have had opportunities above many ; im- 
prove them, my beloved children, I beseech 
you, that if your dear father should be favoured 
to see you again in this probationary state of 
being, it may be with joy of heart, like unto 
the joy of harvest, when a plentiful crop is 
gathered into the garner. Beloved Asenath ! 
let thy mind be stayed upon the Lord in this 
the day of thy sickness and of trial. The soul 
of thy father feels deeply for thee, but I be- 
lieve the opening arms of Goodness circle round 
thee. 

With love to all, your sympathizing and 

affectionate, 

N. Hunt. 

Nantucket, 7th mo. 1, 1804. 
Affectionately beloved Partner : 

A renewal of the deepest sympathy and love 
that I am capable of feeling for thee, attracts 
my mind towards thee this day ; deep and trying 
are my exercises and great my labours, though 
I am humbly resigned to my allotment and 
bow in reverent thankfulness to the great 
Author of our being that He is pleased to help 
in time of need. 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 51 

We have been near a week upon this island, 
und have had several solid meetings and visited 
the sick and the afflicted ; there seems to be 
some further service for us yet, but I think it 
likely three or four days more will accomplish 
it, and then I hope we shall be turned a little 
towards you. But I am not . my own, and 
therefore must be willing to be bound and car- 
ried whither I would not. I have just returned 
from a large public meeting, where I was ex- 
tensively engaged, and feel myself exhausted ; 
but have another one appointed to begin at 
three o'clock, and how it will fare with me the 
Great Being only knows. 

7th of 7th mo.. New Bedford. — The meeting 
on 1st day, mentioned above, continued long — 
the Gospel spring opened abundantly, and on 
4th day I attended Monthly Meeting on the 
island ; it was a very close and searching time. 
On 5th day had a public meeting there, which 
was the crown of all in Nantucket ; a greater 
flow of peace I never felt in which I craved my 
precious wife might partake. We left the island 
yesterday at nine o'clock, arrived here about 
six ; and were much disappointed in not find- 
ing letters, but endeavoured to be patient under 
it. Thou knowest, my dear, receiving these re- 



52 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

membrances is like cold flowing water to a 
thirsty soul. I feel a deep solicitude for our 
preservation from contaminating things — from 
everything that would abate the force of our 
desires after that heavenly union without which 
we live in vain. Let us move on, hand joined 
in hand, through all the chequered scenes of 
this fast fading world, in which we see in part 
and know in part — a steady perseverance in 
well-doing will bring us finally into that clear- 
ness where we shall ''know even as we are 
known." This is a world of darkness and of 
pain, but we are seeking for a city which 
needeth not the sun to lighten it ; for the Lord 
God and the Lamb are the everlasting light 
thereof, and none of the inhabitants can any 
more say they are sick. 

I commend thee and our dear children with 
mine own soul unto the grace of God, which is 
able to present us faultless before the Throne 
of his glory with exceeding joy. 

In the tenderest affection, thine, 

N. Hunt. 

7th mo. 8th. — To my inexpressible consola- 
tion, by last evening's mail, I received thine 
and Asenath's very welcome letter, which was 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 53 

indeed a balsam to my soul ; setting forth such 
humility and such submission to divine requir- 
ings. My dear Asenath, thou art very near to 
thy father's best life in thy tried situation ; but 
if it proves as a fountain of life to preserve 
from the snares of death, rejoice evermore, and 
in all things give thanks. N. H. 



New Bedford, 7tli of 12tli mo., 1804. 
Near and dearly beloved Wife and Children : 

Unto whom are the reachings forth of my 
love and life in the unchangeable truth. The 
engagement of my heart for you is, that none 
of you may be cast away in that awful hour 
which is fast approaching, when the living im- 
mortal part must leave the dying perishable 
flesh and stand before the Majesty of heaven 
and earth, and cognisance be taken of every 
moment of our lives, and every word that we 
have spoken ; certainly this ought to bring us 
all within the girdle of pure truth, and keep us 
sitting at the feet of Jesus ; that we may hear 
this gracious language flowing from his lips, 
''0 righteous Father! let the rebel live.'' I 
intreat you to strive all you can to promote one 
another's happiness, and thereby to increase 



54 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

your own ; sooth one another in the toils of 
life. I mark with most peculiar satisfaction 
the remarks of my beloved wife and daughter. 
The former, that the children are very respect- 
ful to her ; the latter, that the attention of a 
tender mother and the care of affectionate 
brothers and sisters had been conducive to her 
comfort in a tedious illness : and the wish ex- 
pressed that she might number all her bless- 
ings, was affecting to my heart. Truly we 
ought to number them, for they are great. 

I have just received Joseph's affecting letter, 
which gives me pleasure, mixed with pain — 
pain at the disposition of mankind. Oh ! my 
dear family, keep still the mind attentively 
turned unto Him who knoweth every heart, and 
never will leave those who cast their care upon 
Him. If we can have Him for our friend, truly 
we need not care who is against us. We must 
not think it strange we have to bear reproach 
for His name's sake, " for they that would 
live godly,'' &c. Keep yourselves to your- 
selves, improving in good things ; attend reli- 
gious meetings steadily, endeavouring, when 
there, to worship in sincerity of heart. 

I expect to leave this place in a few days, 
and go on to Connecticut. I am pretty much 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 55 

closed up from giving a general notice when 
meetings are appointed, but when they are 
select, or appointed only among others, the 
Gospel spring flows freely. 

Affectionately, dear wife and children, yours, 

N. Hunt. 

Rahway, 8th mo. 15, 1804. 

My dearest half : 

In the flowing forth of that love which issues 
from the fount of purity, thou art brought near 
to my best life, even in that hidden union 
which unites in strongest bonds body, soul, and 
spirit. Oh, this celestial stream ! It flows from 
the Sanctuary, and heals all where it comes. 
It brings forth living creatures in abundance, 
even fruitfulness in the field of offering, and 
joyfulness in the house of prayer. In times 
of dreariness and solitude let us not cast away 
the shield, neither let go our hold on Heaven, 
and sink beneath the mighty billows that would 
overwhelm us. 

Oh ! here we should stand still, solemnly 
gathered into quiet waiting, and let a hand 
mightier than ours work. Soon would it cause 
these storms to pass away, and placing us on 
the banks of deliverance, put a new song into 



56 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

the mouth, even salvation and glory, dominion 
and praise, unto Him to whom they are due. 

My labours, of late, on Long Island and in 
New York have been deep and searching as 
any 1 have ever had before, and the River of 
Peace as deep as any that I ever swam in. 
The Lord will uphold with his free Spirit, and 
give the joys of his salvation to all that trust 
in him. My Master is teaching me new les- 
sons. 

In the city of New York we met with an 
Indian chief, and a number of other Indians 
from the Osage Nation, two thousand miles 
from here. I was pressed in spirit to have a 
meeting with them, which we had in the City 
Hall. I spoke to them by two interpreters, 
first in the French and then in the Indian lan- 
guage, and considering the great flow of expres- 
sion I generally have in my communications, 
was favoured with astonishing composure, when 
I had to stand three or four minutes without 
uttering a word whilst they were interpreting. 
The Indians received it with great solidity and 
satisfaction. 

I watch the mails, and am much pleased 
when I receive a letter from you. Oh ! that 
my descendants may all live in the pure truth, 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. OV 

and be kept in the sacred enclosure of divine 
preservation. 

Take care of yourselves ; dwell in the fear 
of Him who is the searcher of hearts, and on 
whom no deception can impose. He sees us 
just as we are, and He will do right, and give 
unto all according to their deeds. 

May grace, mercy, and peace be with you 
all. I feel that my soul is bound to you in the 
fellowship of that life which is hid with Christ 
in God. And in the Sowings of love, 
I am yours, in the Lord, 

Nathan Hunt. 

4tli mo. 27, 1811. 
My endeared Wife : 

The partner of my joys and sorrows, my 
heart salutes thee, and with the tenderest affec- 
tion and the deepest sympathy that I am capa- 
ble of feeling, under the trying conflict that 
nature has to endure in this long separation. 

But is there not a gentle voice that whispers 
'^ Peace ; be still !" Oh ! then let patience 
have her perfect work ; for I believe it is not 
too much for me to say, with flowing tears, me- 
thinks I see a habitation prepared for our im- 



58 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

mortal souls, if we but hold out unto the end 
in well-doing. 

My dear Asenath, my mind has been ten- 
derly impressed with concern for thee that 
thou mayest not hold back too long, but give 
up thy whole heart unto the Lord, and do what- 
ever he shall bid thee to do ; for he is a sure 
rewarder of all those who diligently serve him. 
And thou, dear Abigail, be attentive to the im- 
pressions of good on thy mind ; for thou hast 
often been visited of the Lord, and He has 
called thee to come away from folly's shrine 
that thou mayest be thy father's joy and thy 
mother's consolation in the time of trouble. 

My beloved sons, Samuel and Nathan, re- 
member, wise sons make glad fathers ; but 
foolish sons are heaviness to their mothers. 

We got here yesterday, expect to have some 
meetings in the neighbourhood, and on second- 
day set out for Canada. I don't expect to hear 
from you for many weeks ; and when I rose 
this morning from my bed, I could not but re- 
flect how different was my situation now from 
what it was about two weeks ago. For I was 
then surrounded by the dearest earthly objects 
of my fond affection, and now I go about from 
place to place, a stranger upon the earth, but 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 59 

measurably quiet in my situation. If I could 
only hear that all were well, I think that I 
could go on cheerfully ; but we must learn sub- 
mission to our lot. 

First-day. — We have just returned from a 
large meeting, in which we were favoured with 
a cloud of witnesses that we are not here of 
ourselves. 

Accept the cordial affection of your tender 
father. 

Nathan Hunt. 



Philadelphia, 8tli mo. 18, 1811. 

Dear Wife : 

We arrived here yesterday morning in time 
to attend the Monthly Meeting in the Northern 
District ; expect to attend the Southern to-day, 
and Middle to-morow. It is a time of general 
health. With pleasure I announce the recep- 
tion of thy affectionate communication of the 
Gth, and dear Asenath's of the 30th of last 
month. Be assured it affords me the greatest 
pleasure, to hear of thine and the children's 
welfare. I expect we shall leave this place in 
eight or ten days for Wilmington ; from thence 
to Baltimore, Richmond, and Petersburgh. 

My desire to be with you exceeds anything 



60 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

I have ever known before ; whether I shall be 
permitted to see you again, I sometimes think 
doubtful. If it should be the case, I greatly 
desire it may be to the honour of the divine 
Master, not merely for our own gratification. 
Friends are abundantly attentive. My kind 
friends, Thomas and Charity Rotch, observing 
how weary I was with riding on horseback, 
kindly furnished me with a new chaise, which 
is indeed a great accommodation. 

29th. — I feel low and solitary this morning 
(which it has often been my lot to do), although 
surrounded with the noise of a tumultuous city. 

My way hath been abundantly as in the 
deep ; but I am mercifully preserved in a good 
degree of resignation, remembering that the 
Lord on high is mightier than the noise of 
many waters — yea, than the mighty waves of 
the sea. 

Oh ! my dear wife and children, watch over 
yourselves continually ; consider every word 
that proceedeth out of your mouth ; it is im- 
possible for us to be too guarded. No words 
can possibly convey to you the concern of my 
heart for your preservation in the meekness 
and simplicity of the pure Truth, that you may 
be the children of the Highest. Let there be 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 61 

no delay in religious duties ; some of you have 
believed^ and therefore speak. 

Kind love to our neighbours in your freedom. 

Nathan Hunt. 

Germantown, 5th mo. 13, 1814. 

My precious Wife : 

Thy cordial salutation, dated from our com- 
fortable little room, on the 3d inst., I received 
the 11th, only eight days from under thy dear 
hand. Be assured no messenger of this kind 
ever gave more genuine consolation to my 
anxious mind, although the poor state of thy 
health still gives concern. For no considera- 
tion of earthly enjoyments would I be deprived 
of being with thee in spirit, and sympathizing 
in thy affliction, when absent in the body. And 
I still cherish the belief we shall be favoured 
to mingle together again in the tender enjoy- 
ments of the domestic circle. We left the city 
yesterday, after one of the most solemn meet- 
ings I ever attended in that place. The Gos- 
pel flowed through the poor Carolinian trumpet 
to the admiration of the inhabitants. I never 
had a greater evidence of being in my right 
place, and am mercifully preserved in humi- 
lity. 



62 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

To-morrow morning I expect the trying sepa- 
ration between Asenath and myself will take 
place. I see my way clearly, pretty direct to 
Redstone, and so into Ohio. Asenath will 
acknowledge the affecting letter of her beloved 
sister in a few days, when I am gone, and she 
becomes a little settled. Never did words sink 
deeper in my heart than my dear Abigail's ex- 
pression of concern for my preservation. My 
feelings have been often tenderly awakened on 
her account. She has a place near my heart. 

The thing particularly queried after, like 
thyself, I put off to the last. I have some- 
times been quite poorly, so that I should not 
have sat up, could I have been at home, and 
had thy tender care ; but I have been recruit- 
ing for a week or two, and now feel pretty well. 
Love to the little flock, and all our neighbours.. 
Affectionately thine, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Philadelphia, 5th mo. 6, 1820. 
My endeared Wife and Children : 

I am now sitting at John Warder's desk, to 
perform a very pleasing duty to the tenderest 
ties in life. We travelled comfortably, and 
were generally pretty well in health. After 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 63 

leaving Petersburgh, went on to Richmond ; 
from thence through Alexandria to Baltimore, 
where we remained over first-day. Attended 
meeting to our satisfaction. Fifth-day reached 
Horsham, at their Quarterly Meeting, where I 
had evidence of being in the line of duty. 

May I never forget the favour I experienced 
on the last sweetly solemn morning that I spent 
with you. The Great Master could scarcely 
have given us a clearer evidence of his appro- 
bation and assurance that this movement was 
of his begetting. My precious wife, keep near 
the Source of Good that so prepared thee for 
this separation, and it will certainly preserve 
thee in patience and in resignation, and qualify 
thee to enjoy our meeting rightly when I am 
restored to you again. Prepare us all for 
mingling in those joys that only are experi- 
enced through faithfulness. 

And you, my children, walk humbly before 
your God ; attend to all your religious duties, 
and lay up treasure where no moth corrupts. 
Keep your minds inward, often remembering 
your latter end. 

My kind host and hostess send their love to 
you. Farewell — farewell. 

Nathan Hunt. 



64 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

New York, 6th mo. 6, 1820. 
My dear Wife and Children : 

I now sit down to stain the last sheet of paper 
(if the Lord should prosper my way), until the 
mighty deep rolls between us. You can better 
conceive my feelings than I can pen them. All 
the faculties of my soul are engaged for your 
preservation as for my own, and first for my 
precious wife, that thy mind may be kept in 
that quiet pavilion wherein earthly privations 
are but little felt, and where, in resignation to 
the will of Him who first united us together in 
the hidden life, we cease from our own wills ; 
and as thou keepest here, I do believe thou wilt 
know something of the blessed state described 
by the prophet : '' The light of the moon will 
be as the light of the sun, and the light of the 
sun as the light of seven days.'' 

Oh ! my dear wife, trust in the Lord, and 
thou wilt become as Mount Zion, that can never 
be removed. 

And my prayers are for you, my dear child- 
ren, in your varied situations and line of life. 
Words fail to convey the deep travail of soul 
which your tried parent feels for you, yet he 
dare not draw back from the work of the Lord. 
I never have more clearly seen the emptiness 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 65 

and vanity of every earthly thing. Oh ! how 
I do desire that a steady watchfulness may at- 
tend your steps while walking on this sea of 
glass mingled with fire. 

My dear Asenath, keep on the watch-tower, 
and hold the helm steady when thou art at 
liberty from the Master's work to be at home. 
Watch out thy opportunity to draw the family 
into silence, that herein they may learn it is 
the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, 
which can alone set us free from the law of sin 
and death. 

And thou, dear Samuel, consider the import- 
ance of thy situation as the head of the family, 
and seek after that wisdom which will guide 
thee in stability, that the expressive language 
of thy conduct may have a happy influence on 
those about thee. 

My beloved Abigail, keep in thy tent, and 
listen to the instructions of thy holy Leader. 
Thus shall thy boughs shoot over the wall, and 
though the archers shoot at thee, and grieve 
thee, thy bow shall abide in strength, and the 
arms of thy hands be made strong by the hands 
of the mighty God of Jacob. 

My dear Nathan, keep near the unfoldings 



66 MEMOIR or NATHAN HUNT. 

of mysterious love upon thy understanding, and 
they will guide thee home to God and glory. 

My beloved Thomas, watch unto prayer, that 
thou mayst be kept in thy moments of vivacity 
from doing or from saying anything that in a 
serious hour would wound thy tender feelings. 

And now, I must commit you to the Lord 
Almighty, who is able to do great things for 
you, and who, as you submit your wills to His^ 
will give you grace and glory, and no good 
thing shall be withholden from you. 

I have, through Divine mercy, been favoured 
with health, and generally with quietude of 
mind, only the time has been a little tedious 
when not taken up with attending meetings. I 
feel a great desire to be in Ireland. 

Next seventh-day we are to go on board the 
Amity. It is a beautiful ship, has fine accom- 
modations. Our captain said to be a very clever 
man ; his name is Maxwell. There are twenty- 
five passengers, among whom is Middleton, the 
minister from our government to Russia. Wil- 
liam Rickman and myself have the two best 
berths in the ship. 

The kindness and attention of Friends in 
Philadelphia, Burlington, and New York ex- 
ceed anything I have ever known. And they 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 67 

united in their testimony of assurance that I 
was in the line of my duty. Esther GriflSn 
and Hannah Field desire their love to you. 

I have not been led into much labour, but a 
few times with great clearness. I desire to be 
remembered to our neighbours, as though their 
names were mentioned. 

Farewell — farewell. 

Nathan Hunt. 

Liverpool, 7tli mo. 4, 1820. 
My dearly beloved Wife and Family : 

I arrived here safely last evening, after 
tossing on the mighty waters three-and-twenty 
days, in which I was mercifully preserved in 
great quietude and resignation to Divine dis- 
posal. We had a good deal of rough weather, 
high winds, and heavy rains. I viewed the 
great deep with astonishment — at all times 
beautifully grand ; but when a strong gale puts 
it in motion, it is awfully majestic beyond the 
power of pen to give an adequate idea of. 1 
was much favoured with health on the passage ; 
about five minutes concluded my sea-sickness. 
I hit my leg against the sky-light the fourth 
day after we left shore, and bruised it; it is 
not yet quite healed. My -andlady, Susannah 



68 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

Hadwin, is a skilful nurse, and gives me every 
attention needful, so that I think it will not 
long detain me. 

My way now opens clearly through the 
North of England, so to the Half Year's Meet- 
ing held in Scotland, thence to Ireland. I 
expect my kind landlord, Isaac Hadwin, mil 
accompany me ; we probably shall travel in a 
chaise. Oh ! how my mind turns towards you 
— the great deep rolling as it does between us. 
The recollections of our parting moments and 
the sweet feelings that attended them, are some 
of the most precious of my life. But though 
many and deep have been my wadings since 
that time, I have seen no moment in which I 
have felt the least desire to be back again until 
the right time comes. 

I often visit you in the house, in the fields 
and in the meadows, and all my desire is for 
your preservation ; that whilst I am engaged 
for the welfare of the human family, my dear 
wife and children may be advocates for the 
cause of Truth in their day and generation. I 
would recommend that at the close of your 
morning meal, you read a chapter in the Testa- 
ment. Begin with Matthew 20, read all those 
passages that set forth the most clearly the 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 69 

meekness of the Lamb of God who taketh away 
the sins of the world, and I have no doubt but 
it will be productive of good — that you will be 
better prepared for the labour of the day : 
" The work of righteousness is peace, and the 
effect thereof quietness and assurance for ever/' 
My precious wife, I cannot convey to thee 
the near sympathy of my soul, but thou canst 
read it in the lines of thy own experience — 
feeling with me, a stranger in a strange land. 
I have hope and confidence that I shall be 
preserved and restored to thee and the dear 
children. May we dwell near the Fountain of 
- Wisdom until the time appointed comes ! With 
love to all, 

Affectionately yours, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Liverpool, 7th mo. 20, 1820. 
My dearly beloved Wife and Children : 

I am nearly four thousand miles from you 
in body, but present in spirit — my heart is full 
of solicitude for you — that wisdom and pru- 
dence may mark all your steps ; that whilst 
your hands are employed in the necessary 
concerns of life, your minds may be inwardly 
engaged to procure heavenly food. 



70 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

My pathway since I left you, has been 
marked with many sorrows ; and I receive 
them as my necessary food, that I may keep 
my body in subjection, and that the Lord in 
all things may have the praise. He has seen 
meet to administer the rod, and also has been 
mercifully pleased to grant me his sustaining 
staff to comfort and support the lonely travel- 
ler. Then, why art thou east down, oh my 
soul, as if no sorrow was like unto thy sorrow ? 
Suffering has been the path which the Lord's 
servants have ever trod into blessedness; for 
" call to mind the former times, the days of 
many generations,'* and see which of them were 
without their share of suffering. Nay, recol- 
lect the sufferings of the Saviour himself, of 
whom the Father gave this testimony : " This 
is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 
" The just for the unjust, that he might bring 
us to God.'' How inexpressible his agony 
when in the Garden under the weight of the 
great work he came to finish ! His sweat was 
as it were great drops of blood. Betrayed by 
one of his disciples, denied by another, and 
finally forsaken by them all ; and when about 
to suffer the painful, ignominious death on the 
cross, his language was — his, who had done no 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 71 

sin, neither was any guile found in his mouth, 
in that most pinching hour — his solemnly affect- 
ing language was : " My God, my God, why 
hast thou forsaken me!" And as it became 
him in bringing many souls unto glory, thus 
to make the Captain of their salvation perfect 
through suffering — why shouldst thou think it 
hard, oh my soul ! to taste a little of that cup 
which thy Lord drank so deeply of, when in 
thy measure, thou art now engaged in the 
same work of gathering souls to God ? When 
thou passest through the waters he will be with 
thee, and through the fires thou shalt not be 
burned. Therefore take courage, oh my soul ! 
for no good thing will he withhold from those 
who walk uprightly. Here you may see a 
little of the travail of the soul of your husband 
and father. 

Second-day morning. — I attended Monthly 
Meeting in this city last fifth-day — the first 
time I was able to get out. Attended forenoon- 
meeting yesterday ; the afternoon put off at my 
request till six o'clock, and general invitation 
given. I opened with the declaration of our Sa- 
viour : ''Except ye be converted and become as 
little children/' &c. Friends said it was a very 



72 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

fiolid meeting ; and most of those who took me 
by the hand, had faces wet with tears. 

My dear Dr. Watson, who has attended faith- 
fully to my sore leg, says I may now proceed 
with safety. 

I am in health, and cheerfully resigned to my 
lot. I. Hadwin my companion — we travel in a 
gig. Love to our family. 

Tours in the Lord, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Glasgow, 8th mo. 21, 1820. 
Most aifectionately beloved Wife and Children : 
Your favours of the 24th of 5th mo. and 
27th of 6th mo. were duly received. I was 
tenderly affected on hearing of your being so 
unwell, and the continuance of the affliction of 
my dearest earthly connexion, but hope through 
mercy when I hear from you again, things will 
be more agreeable to the desire of my heart, 
for I never felt more deeply interested in your 
welfare. Many are the prayers that ascend, 
and the tears that flow down my cheeks for 
your preservation in the pavilion of Divine love 
— that none of the suggestions of the accuser 
of the brethren may be able to move you off 
the true foundation. I have been eleven days 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 78 

in Scotland. Spent five at Edinburgh, visited 
all the families of Friends in that great city, the 
most beautiful in the kingdom of Great Britain 
— had three public meetings, they were interest- 
ing opportunities. The Scotch are an open, 
kind-hearted people, and I frequently think I 
can discover the countenance of a brother or 
sister, a son or a daughter among them. I 
visited the palace where the kings of Scotland 
sat upon their throne. Saw many portraits of 
them — of some that reigned hundreds of years 
ago. 

Feeling quite clear of Edinburgh, left it on 
sixth-day morning and rode forty-two miles to 
this place. On seventh-day visited all the 
families of friends, and yesterday attended 
meeting in the morning, and had a very crowded 
public one at 6 o'clock. It was believed there 
were four thousand persons there. The pros- 
pect was an awful one to me^ to see so many of 
the great and mighty of this world. The Rus- 
sian minister, his consort, and attendants were 
very near me. But in a little time the power 
of truth arose, and they all gave me close at- 
tention. 

To-morrow I expect to attend Friends' Two 



74 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

Months Meeting here, and afterwards set out 
for Aberdeen, one hundred and fifty miles north 
of this. I shall attend the Half- Year's Meeting 
(which will be this day week), if nothing should 
prevent, and quickly after that I expect to re- 
turn to this place and embark for Ireland. 

Isaac Hadwin is still with me ; he has been a 
very agreeable, attentive companion — expects 
to return home when I sail for Ireland, and 
Edward Wilson is to unite with me as a com- 
panion. Thus am I provided for. I am through 
Divine mercy in good health — climate and food 
agree with me. I try to attend to my duty 
faithfully through the day, and generally sleep 
sweetly at night. 

I never found my way easier in getting along 
among any people ; they say I am the only in- 
stance they have ever known of an American 
looking younger than he was, and are hardly 
willing to give America credit for giving me 
birth. It is now about the height of harvest 
here, and the weather is so cold I wore my 
flannel and surtout in riding. 

Each day still makes the time of absence one 
day less. I hope we shall possess our souls in 
patience till we meet again. Tell Nathan and 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 75 

Joshua to go on with their business with great 
care, and not extend it too far. 

In the nearest and dearest love to you all, 
Yours truly, 

Nathan Hunt. 



Glasgow, 9th mo. 6, 1820. 
My near and dearly beloved Wife and Children : 

I had expected this day to have sailed for 
Ireland, but some of the machinery of the steam- 
boat wanted mending, which will detain us till 
to-morrow morning, and feeling my mind released 
from Scotland, knew not how I could spend this 
day better than in writing to you. I have been 
at Aberdeen smce I wrote last, attended the 
Half- Year's Meeting there, and saw John Wig- 
ham, who desired to be remembered to you. 

I have got along so far to my humbling ad- 
miration, sustained and supported through all 
the conflicts that fall to my lot, for which I 
praise the Being that gave me existence. I 
pass on through hundreds and thousands and 
meet no face I ever saw before : none but those 
who have passed through similar scenes know 
what it is to feel one's self a stranger in a 
foreign land, far from wife, children, and every 
near and dear connexion. 



76 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

But all these privations I would gladly endure 
if I may but be made use of as an instrument 
in the Divine hand to beget souls unto Himself ; 
and my own poor soul be permitted to occupy 
some remote corner of his glorious kingdom, 
there to behold more faithful spirits in their 
acts of adoration ; or that I even may be made 
a stepping-stone for saints to pass over to glory. 
My mind is at this time remarkably taken from 
the world, to behold all mundane things draw- 
ing to a point of nothingness and vanity : " When 
the heavens shall be rolled together as a scroll, 
and the elements shall melt with fervent heat/' 
I tremble lest my many deviations may not be 
done away before that day of the Lord shall 
come, wherein I must appear naked before my 
Judge. 

My mind has been dipped into deep feeling 
with you of late ; some of you in an especial 
manner who I believe can say with Job formerly, 
*' Wearisome days and nights are appointed 
me/' Oh ! how I travail for my children and 
grandchildren, that they may walk in the ways 
of truth. Your active minds have often been 
arrested by the hand of the dear Master, and 
had impressions made upon them which I hope 
will be lasting. The seed so plentifully sown, 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 77 

I believe, has not all fallen upon stony ground, 
nor has it all been choked with thorns and 
briars ; on the contrary, through adorable 
mercy, some of it has found soil congenial to 
its own nature, where I humbly hope nothing 
will be suffered to hurt it in the progressive 
stages through which it has to pass : that shel- 
tered in the tender blade, and protected in the 
ripening ear, by that love which cause th the joy 
that is known in the presence of the holy angels, 
the full corn will be nourished until ripe fruit 
be brought forth, to the praise of the great 
Husbandman and the exaltation of His ever 
excellent Name. 

On arriving here, I received a truly accepta- 
ble letter from my beloved sons, Samuel and 
Thomas, dated 23d of 7th mo. The informa- 
tion it contained was a mixture of joy and sor- 
row: joy, that you were generally in pretty 
good health; and sorrow, that my dear and 
precious wife continues to be so afflicted. Well, 
my dear, trust in the Father of mercies, for he 
will not forsake those that put their whole trust 
and confidence in Him, My dear children, 
dwell together in love, help one another all you 
can, and be continually attentive to your dear 
mother. 



78 MEMOIR OF NATH-AN HUNT. 

I expected to hear in your last of my beloved 
Asenath being out in the field of labour, but 
hope she will neither go before nor lag behind 
her guide. 

I was much pleased to hear that Friends 
gave up at the Quarterly Meeting without dis- 
puting, for suifering ever has been and ever will 
be the lot of those who stand for the truth. 
Yours, in the Lord, 

Nathan Hunt. 

I am in good health, and in a comfortable 
disposition of mind, at peace with all men. 

Ireland, 9th mo. 19, 1820. 
My dearest earthly ties : 

I have been eleven days in Ireland., and had 
twelve meetings. I left Glasgow last fifth-day 
week, and landed at Belfast next day. I am 
progressing with all diligence ; have got through 
the meetings in the Province of Ulster, and 
expect to go to-morrow to Leinster and attend 
the Quarterly Meeting at Edenderry. I think, 
according to present prospects, I shall get 
through Ireland in five or six weeks. * * * 

Liverpool, 10th mo. 30, 1820. 
My dearly beloved Wife and Children : 

With very tender emotions I sit down to 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 79 

commune with you, and although the mighty 
deep now rolls between us, my spirit is united 
with yours in the bond and covenant of light 
and life ; thus kindred spirits mingle in that 
fellowship, which the world knows not of, be- 
cause it is only spiritually discerned. May we 
be favoured to keep in the everlasting patience 
through all the tribulations that may be dis- 
pensed to us in unerring wisdom, that when 
time to us may be no more, we may receive an 
admission into those habitations where the 
enemy will cease to trouble, and where the 
weary will for ever rest. 

I am resigned to my lot in body, soul, and 
spirit. Methinks I see a Hand removing all 
perishable things more and more from me ; 
under which I desire to stand as a weaned 
child, craving nothing but what is quite con- 
venient for me. 

I arrived here last night from Ireland in 
health and safety, through the mercy of my 
blessed Creator ; having spent seven weeks 
there, and had many solid and interesting meet- 
ings. Last sixth-day morning, we took the 
steamboat from Dublin for Holyhead ; there 
was a lively breeze of wind when we set out, 
and it increased to a tremendous gale — the 



80 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

waves rose as high as the top of the mast, and 
we were indeed dreadfully tossed. I stood in 
the cabin-door and held fast by a rope, view- 
ing with astonishment the scene. In a degree 
of solemn quiet I thought upon my wife, my 
children, my friends, and my home ; and my 
soul centered in a deep repose, safe anchored 
on its God, whose voice is mightier than the 
sound of many waters. In this situation we 
continued about six hours, when, contrary to 
all human calculation, we arrived in safety at 
our destined port. I expect to tarry a few 
days with my kind friends, Isaac and Susannah 
Hadwin, and then set out again to the east side 
of England. I am in good health, but feel 
little, which is often my lot when surrounded 
with company — then I retire inward, which is 
the alone place of safety ; and sometimes while 
dwelling on the steps which led to this separa- 
tion from all that I hold dearest on the earth, 
I receive the intimation, that he that putteth 
his hand to the plough and looketh back is not 
fit for the kingdom of heaven. So I am en- 
couraged to go forward and do my own busi- 
ness, let others do what they may. 

Oh, the world ! the world ! the world ! how 
unsettled, how unstable, how uncertain is every- 



LETTERS TO IIIS V/IFE. 81 

thing that relates to it ! I want to say to you, 
my beloveds, Take care of the mystery of in- 
iquity, which worketh wonderfully to frustrate 
the designs of a kind Providence. It blinds 
the eye and darkens the understanding, and 
thus men err in judgment, and think they are 
doing God service when they are gratifying 
their own creaturely wills. The time of our 
annual solemnity is now approaching. How I 
desire my dear wife may not be interrupted 
with inconsiderate company ; and you, my dear 
children, be careful not to look about, nor 
suffer your minds to be attracted by outward 
objects. When in meeting, humbly seek for 
the help and strength of the Lord to perform 
acceptable worship in spirit and in truth. I 
also desire that my sons, Nathan and Joshua, 
may be exceedingly careful in their business. 
There have been many sorrowful failures even 
among Friends. Now in that love over which 
neither time nor distance have any influence, I 
bid you all farewell. 

Nathan Hunt. 

Kendall, 11th mo. 22, 1820. 
Dear Wife and Children : 

I received Asenath's affecting and interest 



82 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

ing letter, dated 23d of 9th month, at Liver- 
pool, the 1st of this month. The account of 
my dear wife having been better in health, and 
able to be at meeting a few weeks before, was 
truly grateful to my feelings; but her being 
reduced again under the hand of aflBiiction, 
affected my heart with deep sympathy and 
prayer to God for his interposition and mercy 
to the partner of my joys and soitows. 

Dear heart, be encouraged ; I believe thy 
redemption is sealed, although afflictions attend 
thee here. 

I obsei^ed, with tender emotion, thy pleasant 
inquiry, if it was not time to say something 
about coming home. I can only say, I am now 
far away, and I humbly hope under the guid- 
ance of Him whose ways are unsearchable, and 
as I am principally led to large places, and 
smaller ones hidden from my view, and as all 
prospect of going to the Continent is at present 
quite withdrawn from me, my return may pos- 
sibly be sooner than was anticipated when I 
left you. But all this must be left to Him who 
tries the reins. 

Since 1 last wrote I have been in the West 
and North of England, and had some very 
blessed meetings there. I go on in great low- 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 83 

liness of mind and creaturely abasement, often 
remembering the language of Job, " I have 
heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but 
now mine eye seeth thee ; wherefore I abhor 
myself, and repent in dust and ashes." There 
is scarcely a pillow on which I lay mine head 
that is not more or less wet with my tears, and 
many prayers ascend for thee, my precious 
wife, our children, and myself, with praises to 
the Author of all good. 

Information of the decease of dear Stephen 
Henley produced deep feeling, and I hope it 
may revive this intimation on the minds of 
many, ^'Be ye also ready, for in such an hour 
as ye think not, the Son of Man will come." 

I was much with you in the time of our An- 
nual Meeting. I believe there were some among 
you thought on their absent brother, and saw 
he was not in the seat he used to be. I hope 
the Master of assemblies was with you, and all 
was conducted in brotherly love. But I have 
often many fears for Zion, lest there should be 
breaches made in her walls. 

I gave you an account of my perilous pass- 
age from Ireland in my last. The people in 
the higher circles live in great style, though 
many of them too fast for their incomes. Thus 



84 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

they are often in great difficulties, and there 
have been some shameful failures among them. 

The situation of the lower orders of the peo- 
ple beggars all description. Both men and 
women bare-legged and tattered, and children 
naked as they came into the world. They are 
so oppressed with rents and priests' demands 
that many of them live upon potatoes. My 
meetings there were very solid ones, and after 
meeting the gay circles gathered round me. 
Sometimes three or four will have hold of my 
hand at a time. I have not seen Huldah Sears. 
She has been in Scotland, and gone to Ireland, 
so that it is not likely we shall meet. 

I look, in a few days, to have a letter from 
you. May the Lord be with you and me. 

Nathan Hunt. 

1820. 
My dear Wife and Children : 

I received, on the 3d instant, my daughter's 
very acceptable letter. It was truly grateful 
to hear that you were all in pretty good health, 
and that my dear wife was favoured with resig- 
nation. 

I think I never was more in the line of my 
duty, and never more preserved in lowliness of 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 85 

mind. Friends try to detain me, telling me 
such an one stayed so long, and such an one had 
to come back. But it all avails nothing. 

I have no doubt safety depends on my mind- 
ing my own business. I suppose I have got 
through more meetings in the time than any 
Friend has ever done before from our land. 
They have, I think, been mostly solid meet- 
ings, and through Divine mercy sufficient unto 
the day is the ability given, that I have never 
more admired the goodness of my great Crea- 
tor, never more felt my own insignificance, nor 
was ever more disposed to give Him all the 
praise, for He alone is worthy. May my be- 
loved family keep under the shadow of His 
holy wing, where in His light they will see 
more light. 

My dear Asenath's prospect of going to 
Bush river met my feelings agreeably. I de- 
sire to draw your minds, my precious children, 
from all outward things, more into yourselves, 
and more to God. When you awake in the 
morning, endeavour to get into pure silence ; 
and in that frame wait upon God that you may 
feel his good presence ; lift up your hearts to 
him for preservation during the day, and thus 
commit your whole selves unto his blessed care. 



86 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

And when you go to rest, strive to feel his 
good presence near you, and under a feeling 
of your own unworthiness, so humble your- 
selves in his sight as to be enabled to close 
your eyes under a sense of his forgiveness and 
love. 

I now leave you in the hands of Him who 
made you, and who lent us to each other for 
our mutual help. 

Very affectionately, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Leeds, 12th mo. 20, 1820. 
My dear Wife and Children : 

I have this morning received both Nathan 
and Asenath's acceptable letters. The infor- 
mation they contained produced sensations of 
joy and sorrow : in the first place, humbling 
satisfaction and gratitude of heart to hear of 
the improvement in the health of my dear wife, 
and her expressing a wish that she could write 
to me — a thing I have often thought of; it 
would give me great pleasure to see a few 
words in ner hand ; in the second place, hear- 
ing of the sickness of my dear daughter was 
affecting, but to find she was so far restored as 
to be able to write to her poor father, and at- 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 87 

tend the select meeting, was very comforting. 
No words can express the concern I feel for 
you, that grace, mercy, and peace may encom- 
pass you about and keep you from the paths 
of the destroyer. 

My dear Asenath, I observe with deep sym- 
pathy thy exercises, and believe thou hast been 
favoured to settle rightly as to thy spending 
the ensuing season at and about home. I ap- 
prehend the field of family-visiting is large, 
and I would just say to my beloved daughter, 
do not hurry too much for thy strength ; and 
let me know how thou art getting on and who 
are thy companions, for I am greatly interested 
in the work. I observed Nathan mentioned, 
that Samuel and Joseph had a prospect of 
buying some land. I desire my sons may con- 
sider the thing well, and do not get into diffi- 
culties. It is a trying thing to be bound down 
with debt. If there appears a reasonable pro- 
bability of getting through with it, I should not 
object. 

Godliness, with contentment, is great gain ; 
keep an eye to this, my dear children, I be- 
seech you all, and remember the precious soul 
is more than meat that perisheth. My soul is 
in travail for you, that none of you may stray 



88 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

from the fold of everlasting rest. And now, 
merciful God, what can I more ardently desire 
and pray for than that thou shouldst preserve my 
precious wife ^-nd children from all evil ? Keep 
them in the path of virtue, protect the frail 
creatures whom thou hast committed to my 
care ; deliver them not, I beseech thee, a prey 
to evil passions ; and if consistent with thy 
holy will, Father ! make easy the course of 
their lives. May truth and innocence be the 
companions of their pilgrimage, and in the 
hour of judgment may I be able to exclaim 
with joy : " Here, Lord, am I and those whom 
thou hast given me ; we have been faithful to 
our duties, and now throw ourselves upon thy 
boundless mercy." 

I was pleased to hear who were to be Ase- 
nath*s companions in travel. I was thinking 
of her leaving home the day before I received 
Thomas's letter, and these friends presented 
very clearly to my mind — so I believe the thing 
is of the Lord — he works out of the reach of 
human calculation, to effect his great designs. 

Edward Wilson expects to leave me here, and 
Richard Thompson is to be my companion. 
Continue your attention to me every month, 
and as much oftener as is convenient. Dear 



LETTERS TO HIS WIPE. 89 

love to all our friends and many of our neigh- 
bours. 

Yours sincerely, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Stoke Newington, 1st mo. 27, 1821. 
My dear Wife : 

With feelings of love and sympathy I now 
sit down to write to thee, who hast been the 
partner of my joys and sorrows these many 
years, to whom I could pour out my soul with- 
out reserve; and though the mighty deep now 
rolls between us, my spirit often, very often 
visits thee by night and day. Sometimes 1 
almost think I hear thy soothing voice, which 
has so often comforted my heart, and that I 
sensibly feel the valuable effects of the travail 
of thy spirit for my preservation in the pre- 
sent arduous engagement. Truly, it is great 
beyond anything I ever before experienced, and 
solitary feelings often attend me, when all 
around is wrapt in darkness, when no eye can 
see, no ear can hear, but the eye and ear of 
the High and Lofty One who inhabiteth eter- 
nity. I do not mention this complainingly, or 
as if weary of my allotment, for I fully believe 
that those who visit the precious seed in this 



90 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

day of outward ease and liberty, wherein it is 
pressed down as a cart laden with sheaves, must 
go down with it into deep mourning, and I care 
not what my sufferings are if I can be but 
where Christ is. I know, my precious wife, 
thou hast many lonely and solitary places to 
pass through. I also fully believe that thou 
experiencest the staff of Divine Love to support 
thee in and through them all. 

Methinks I see the tear of brokenness and 
contrition of spirit often rolling down thy 
cheek, while the language of thy heart is, 
'' Thy will, oh ! Father, and not mine, be done." 
When I am ready to call all in question respect- 
ing my being here, I advert to the feelings that 
overshadowed us in the parting moment, and 
feel that it was an evidence of Divine approba- 
tion, — for what but the power of the Almighty 
God could have produced such calmness and 
such sweetness at that time ? 

The information our dear children have given 
me from time to time of the continuance of 
this comfortable and resigned disposition of 
mind, is pleasant to me beyond what I can ex- 
press. 

May the Lord be pleased to comfort you con- 
tinually with his life-giving presence, is the 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 91 

prayer of thy husband's heart. I have had 
many meetings along the sea-coast ; six this 
week in London. To-morrow I expect to go 
to Tottenham, and return on second-day, then 
go to Rochester, where William Rickman lives, 
and afterward hold some more meetings in 
London. 

I have been considerably affected with cold, 
but am now better. The winter is moderate, 
but very damp, almost continually foggy. I 
think we have not had three days' sunshine in 
three months. I long for some of the sweet 
weather of America. 

With feelings of uniting love, I am thy truly 
sympathizing husband, 

Nathan Hunt. 

CoLCHESTEK, 3(1 mo. 18, 1821. 
My dear Wife and Children : 

I received last evening Samuel's very accept- 
able letter, dated 20th of 1st month. It gave 
me as much satisfaction as any letter I have 
received from you since I left home. I am now 
about fifty-two miles east of London, at my very 
kind friend James Barker's ; have been quite 
unwell for three days past, under the care of his 



92 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

physician, but am much better this morning, and 
hope in a few days to pursue my prospects. 

My dear Samuel, thy kind attention to the 
family, farm, &c., gives me much comfort. I 
should be glad if Thomas could be satisfied to 
settle to the farming business ; it seems the safest 
way of getting comfortably through the little 
time that is here afforded us. When I think 
of the exposures of medical men, I fear for my 
son, and wish that he might become a physician 
to precious souls. 

My dear son, trust in the Lord with all thine 
heart, and lean not to thy own understanding ; 
in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall 
direct thy paths. 

London, 3d mo. 29, 1821. 

I got here last evening in much better health 
than when I wrote the fore-part of this letter. 

I received much benefit from the attention 
of the doctor, through the blessing of a merciful 
Creator. I often visit you in near and tender 
feeling, especially of later time, supposing there 
was a change taking place in our family by our 
dear Abigail changing her way of life. It 
would have been a pleasant thing to have been 
present with you, but as this cannot be, I hope 
all things may be conducted to the honour of 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 93 

the great Name ; a thing we ought to keep in 
view at all times, seeing this is the object for 
which we have a being in this world. Thus 
may we be prepared to add to the innumerable 
company who have passed through great tribu- 
lation, and washed their robes and made them 
white in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are 
they before the throne of God, and serve him 
day and night. 

London, 23. 

Since writing the above, I have attended a 
Quarterly Meeting at Hertford and a Monthly 
Meeting six miles south of this. Yesterday 
attended the examination of the scholars at 
Islington. In all my labours I have peace of 
mind. 

On second and third days expect to attend the 
Quarterly Meeting here. On fourth-day morning 
to set out for the Half- Year's Meeting in Wales, 
taking meetings in the way. So to the Yearly 
Meeting in Ireland, and return in time for this. 
If the Lord be pleased to prosper my way as 
he hath hitherto done, I have a comfortable 
hope my labours will be drawing to a close on 
this side of the water before very long. 

I may possibly be ready to sail towards the 
latter end of the summer ; but there must be no 



94 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

disappointment either with you or with myself 
if I should have to stay another year. 

I am now quite well in health and in a com- 
fortable state of mind, two of the greatest bless- 
ings that can be enjoyed in this probationary 
state of being. May the Lord guide and govern 
you and influence your minds by His holy spirit, 
and now 

Farewell in Him — dear love to all, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Dublin, 4th mo. 26, 1821. 
My dearly beloved Wife and Children : 

I received at Swansea in Wales, the 11th inst., 
the cordially grateful letters of Asenath, Mary, 
and Thomas, dated 20th of 2d month. 

It is cause for gratitude that my dear wife is 
permitted to live and enjoy as much comfort as 
she does ; her situation is an instructive one, 
and I have no doubt designed for the benefit of 
her family. The thought of you, my dear child- 
ren, brings to my mind the recollection of the 
days of my childhood, when I dwelt with my 
brother and sisters, the children of a widow ; 
preserved by an unseen hand, perhaps for the 
sake of a worthy father whose ashes lie in a far 
distant land. 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 95 

I expect to take leave of Ireland on second or 
third-day week, return to England, take a few 
meetings on my way to London, and there attend 
the Yearly Meeting there. My services in this 
land may probably wind up in a few months, 
but I often remember, you charged me not to 
return till I was quite easy to do so. 

My labours have been abundant, and I believe 
through Divine favour have been well received. 

I have Peter Bedford, of London, for my 
companion ; a very amiable young man. Friends 
endeavour to make everything as easy as pos- 
sible wherever I go. 

I have lost an old friend lately, who has been 
with me through all my conflicts, more than 
fifty years, and never has refused to give its aid 
to minister to my comforts when called upon, 
till very recently it has withdrawn its friendly 
usefulness ; and another one of similar age and 
benefit does at times refuse to perform its 
friendly attention as in days of yore, that I 
expect it will ere long retire from me and leave 
me in a strange land, rather destitute, to make 
my way with difficulty. 

I shall inform you how long to direct to me 
on this side the Atlantic, and am 

Very affectionately yours, 

Nathan HtrNT. 



96 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

London, 5th mo. 27, 1821. 
My endeared Wife and Children : 

I received Nathan's precious letter dated 22d 
of 3d mo. Some part of it was truly affecting. 
My dear wife, more than usually afflicted in 
body and mind, excited great sympathy and 
anxious solicitude, but the last date seemed to 
give a little hope that she might be more com- 
fortable, and encouraged the belief that I might 
again be permitted to enjoy her society, as in 
days that are past, when the candle of the Lord 
shone round about us. The marriage of my 
dear daughter is another very interesting sub- 
ject. 

I greet her and her dear partner as one, and 
receive them together as my children. May 
the God and Father of all our sure mercies be 
pleased to guide them in their setting out in 
life. 

I arrived in this great city a week ago yes- 
terday. In the Yearly Select Meeting I opened 
to Friends my prospect of being liberated from 
labour in this land in a few months. Perhaps 
I may sail in the 8th month. 

If Nathan should be in Philadelphia about 
the latter end of 9th month, he had better wait 
till I come. 



LETTERS TO HIS WIFE. 97 

I am in pretty good health, and have reason 
to say the Lord is good. Way has been made 
for me to my humbling admiration. 

There was a large meeting here on first day 
evening ; it was thought not less than two thou- 
sand people. I opened my concern with the 
words of the apostle : " Examine yourselves, 
whether ye be in the faith," &c. A solemn 
meeting. 

Love flows from my heart to every member 
of my family. 

Yours, in the Lord, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Philadelphia, 9th mo. 24, 1821. 
My dear Wife and Children : 

I have anxiously hoped I should get a letter 
here, with a later date than the one I received 
at New York, but none has yet come to hand ; 
I suppose owing to your not knowing what my 
procedure might be. I left New York on 
second-day and got to Burlington on third-day, 
stopping at Rahway ; and fifth-day, after meet- 
ing, dear Rowland Jones took his horse and 
gig and brought me to this place, where friends 
received me with great expressions of joy. I 
here met with Jesse Shelley, who gave me the very 



98 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

agreeable information that my dearest earthly 
tie was much improved ; which was cause of 
thankfulness to my heart, and a hope was raised 
that I might be permitted once more to behold 
her. It was trying to me to suppress the in- 
clination I felt to go with Jesse Shelley in the 
public conveyance yesterday for Carolina ; but 
thought I should scarcely be able to bear the 
fatigue of it, and believe it will be best for me 
to pursue the plan I mentioned in my letter 
from New York of being at Petersburgh the 
16th of next month, having no doubt you will 
be fully reconciled to it if we should be per- 
mitted to meet, when I can give you my reasons 
for so doing. 

I expect to go this week to Cheltenham and 
Plymouth ; next week set out for Baltimore 
and Washington, Richmond and Petersburgh, 
where I should be very glad to meet one of my 
sons, if they can leave home easily. If not, 
please write to Ebenezer Thomas, and I have 
no doubt I shall find some way to get home. I 
have not enjoyed better health for many years. 
Dear love to all. 

Yours in the Lord, 

Nathan Hunt. 



LETTERS. 99 

In a letter written from Virginia a few days 
after this, he says : '' I am, through unmerited 
favour, in good health ; and have been remark- 
ably so, ever since I left England. A greater 
degree of quietude and serenity of mind I 
never experienced ; that I rejoice in my la- 
bours, amid all the trials that attend me." 

In reference to this period, he observes : 

" In 1821, I reached my home again, hav- 
ing been absent eighteen months ; attended 
four hundred and twenty-seven meetings, be- 
sides having had very many private opportu- 
nities, and travelled about fifteen thousand 
miles. Through all I have been marvellously 
preserved, and can, I trust, with gratitude ac- 
knowledge, that goodness and mercy have fol- 
lowed me all the days of my life. Praise be 
unto His great and adorable name for ever ! I 
feel I have not words sufficient to express my 
sense of his protecting care, guarding me day 
and night, and watching over me on every 
hand." 

For some years after his return from Eng- 
land, our beloved friend was not unfrequently 
engaged in religious service in his own imme- 
diate vicinity; and in 1831 he again visited 
the meetings of New York, New England, and 



100 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

Pennsylvania. Trials of various kinds were 
meted out to him, but perhaps none came so 
near to his aflfectionate heart, as the loss of his 
excellent and dignified wife. To her he was 
united in the covenant of life and of love, and 
he felt the bereavement keenly ; yet the lan- 
guage of his chastened but confiding and sub- 
missive spirit seemed to be : " It is the Lord \" 
let him do what seemeth him good." 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 4th mo. 28, 1827. 

Dear Nephew : 

I believe there has been no time, since 
Friends were a people separate from all other 
religious denominations of professing Chris- 
tians, in w^hich it was more needful for them 
to keep to the foundation of our blessed Lord 
and Saviour Jesus Christ, as it was held forth 
by ancient Friends ; for the day in which we 
live is a time of outward ease and speculation 
in religious, civil, and political concerns ; that 
amidst this whirlpool of worldly agitation it is 
needful to keep the eye single to the unfoldings 
of pure wisdom, that we may be favoured to 
see the hidden mystery of iniquity in its ver- 
micular form. I desire thou and thy dear wife 
may be encouraged to attend to every religious 



LETTERS. 101 

duty in the simplicity and purity of the truth 
as it is in Jesus Christ our Lord. 

My mind was much turned toward you in 
the time of your late Yearly Meeting, with 
feeling solicitude that Truth might triumph 
over error, and the followers of the Lamb 
boldly declare on whose side they were. They 
that do so will have the victory, though many 
may be their sufferings and revilings from those 
that are not willing to submit their necks unto 
the yoke of the cross of Christ, but are high- 
minded and heady, and no way to them like 
their own ; — the simple, humble, plain plan of 
salvation, by and through the wisdom, mercy, 
and love of God in Jesus Christ does not suit 
their tasty palates ; therefore no marvel if they 
deny the Lord that bought them, if they are 
wroth with his servants and make war against 
them. 

The company and valuable labours of our 
mutually endeared friends, S. B. and J. C, at 
our late Yearly Meeting, were like dew on the 
grass and showers on the herbs. Please to give 
mine and my wife's dear love to them and their 
families. 

Will my dear nephew please send me a copy 



102 MEMOIR OF NATHx\N HUNT. 

of " The Essaj^s on Christianity," published by 
Thomas Kite ? 



Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 2d mo. 5, 1832. 
My very dear friends, and : 

Often, very often has my mind like the 
mid lightning been wafted over the inter- 
vening space between us, and greeted you in 
the celestial bond and covenant of light and 
(ove, although I have given you no written 
testimonial of my affectionate remembrance of 
you. As new-born babes may you sincerely de- 
sire the pure milk of the Word of Life, that you 
may grow thereby to the proper stature and 
fulness that the Lord allots you to attain to in 
his church militant. 

I have felt much on thy account, beloved 

, and hope the darkness is past, and the 

true light now shines that will be as a light to 
thy feet and as a lantern to thy path. Although 
thou mayest have to walk through the valley 
of the shadow of death, thou need fear no evil ; 
for the rod and the staff of the Lord will sus- 
tain thee, and thou shalt be as a polished shaft 
in his quiver that shall pierce the head of the 
great leviathan, the monster of human reason 
and human wisdom, who is endeavouring to lay 



LETTERS. 103 

waste the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, and 
the blessed plan of salvation proposed by Him. 
It is a dark delusive spirit ; it worketh in the 
secret chambers of darkness ; in the mystery 
of iniquity it lives. I have often remembered 
the sweetness and solemnity with which thou 
expressed thy joy and gratitude, that thy eyes 
were opened to see the awful vortex thou hadst 
escaped. I have no doubt, dear child, thou 
hast had close trials to pass through since that 
blessed dawn of light in great mercy broke 
forth, to show thee the horrible pit that thou 
wast verging towards. I feel a great desire for 
thee, that thou mayest come forth as the pure 
gold that has been seven times tried in the fire. 

And dear , I feel no less solicitude for 

thee than for thy precious wife. I hope thou wilt 
suffer the axe of God's eternal power to be laid 
to the root of every tree which does not bring 
forth the fruits of holiness to the Lord, and be 
willing to be formed into just such a vessel as 
the great Potter would have thee to be. I 
know thou lovest the truth, and those who 
thou believest walk in it. May you, my dear 
friends, become more and more like Mount 
Zion which can never be removed, but abideth 
for ever. 



104 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

I feel greatly interested in the welfare of the 

people of , and especially the Society of 

Friends ; that they may be a humble-hearted, 
consistent, and plain people, living in the fear 
of the Lord. I mourn for the stars who have 
fallen for want of deep indwelling and attend- 
ing to the secret counsels of the Most High, 
which would have preserved them " as chaste 
virgins espoused to Christ." 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 9th mo. 30, 1833. 
Dear Nephew : 

Thou and thy beloved family have of late 
time been frequently brought to my remem- 
brance, with feelings of afifection and solici- 
tude for your safekeeping and preservation in 
the sacred enclosure of that Divine Love, which 
is the source and fountain of all true and per- 
manent happiness, and keeps the mind settled 
to the one thing needful ; that is, to make suit- 
able preparation for an eternal state of being, 
and have treasure laid up in heaven for the im- 
mortal soul to ascend to, when it drops the 
dying flesh. My beloved nephew and niece, I 
have no doubt but you are sensible of the re- 
sponsible situation in which you are placed, as 
husband and wife, and as parents of children ; 



LETTERS. 105 

who need your united efforts to bring them up 
in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and 
to keep them as much as possible from the tinsel 
of this fading and uncertain -world, which has 
a very attracting influence over the minds of 
the dear youth. May you be united in pure 
love, under Divine direction, to discharge this 
important duty in that wisdom that comes down 
from above, where Christ sitteth at the right 
hand of God, and feels our infirmities, and will 
be a present help in every time of need unto all 
that call upon Him, out of a pure heart, from 
a sense of their own inability to do any good 
thing without the help of his Holy Spirit to 
guide them in judgment; and it is only the 
humble that he teaches of His ways, and the 
meek that He guides in judgment. I desire to 
encourage you, dear children, to be faithful 
helpmeets to one another in all the trials and 
afflictions of time, and to move on through the 
chequered scenes of this short life, hand in hand, 
bound together by the strong cord and bands 
of love. There is but one safe place of dwell- 
ing, and that is in Jerusalem ; which is a city 
compact together, whither the tribes go up, the 
tribes of the Lord unto the testimonies of Israel, 
to give thanks unto the name of the Lord. I 



106 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

crave that you may be in the company that 
maintain these testimonies. There is great need 
of faithful watchmen on the walls of our Zion 
in this day of great supineness and departure 
from the simplicity of the everlasting Gospel 
of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ; and this 
deviation prevails in country, town, and city to 
an alarming extent ; yet I hope there are some 
that have the white stone and the new name 
that is written in the Lamb's book of life. I 
want to encourage all hearts and all hands to 
press towards the mark for the prize of the high 
calling of God in Christ Jesus. Twenty-five 
days more will end the seventy-fifth year of my 
pilgrimage in this state of uncertainty, in which 
I have seen men and things change ; they that 
were flattering to-day almost to adulation, to- 
morrow would be cold and insipid, when I could 
form no idea of any cause for such a change ; 
yet I have great cause for thankfulness to him 
that seeth in secret, he hath wonderfully fulfilled 
his gracious promise — he hath given me fathers 
and mothers, brethren and sisters, and earthly 
accommodations to my humbling admiration; 
and after all my travels and labours I have 
nothing to trust in but the mercies of the Lord 
for salvation, and can truly say I feel myself to 



LETTERS. 107 

be an unprofitable servant, not having done 
half of that which it was my duty to do. 

The past summer and so far of the autumn 
have been unusually warm and dry ; the heat 
has been often very oppressive to me, and pro- 
duced great debility that I have not been able 
to go out much, though I have had a few large 
public meetings in the course of the summer, 
and attended meetings at and about home as 
they came in course, which I consider a great 
privilege, and feel gratitude and thankfulness 
for every favour both spiritual and temporal. 
Your affectionate uncle, 

* 5i: * Hi 

Nathan Hunt. 

Springfield, 2d mo. 13, 1835. 
To J. and H. C. B. : 

Deep feelings of sympathy are awakened in 
my mind at every turn of thought on your long- 
protracted and arduous engagement in the most 
exalted and noble of all causes which human 
creatures can be engaged in, even that of win- 
ning souls unto God — in comparison of which, 
all other things sink into insignificance; and 
from the near unity I have felt with your move- 
ments, I believe there is no cause for discour- 
agement. It is a blessed thing to be in a state 



108 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

of humble resignation to the mind and will of 
our gracious Master, and to keep the word of 
His patience, under the influence of that faith 
which has been the support of the Lord's ser- 
vants in every age of the world. As to the 
Southern prospect, I incline to believe it will 
be best for you to attend to it. Do one thing 
at a time, and when that is done, set up the 
staff and see which way it leans and carefully 
follow it, whether it inclines to the east, the 
west, the north, or the south. It seems to me, 
if you remain a little longer, though it may be 
in weeping, you will sow much precious seed. 
Your latter labours will be blest to many, bound 
up among the sheaves w^hich you have gathered 
in this land, and you, my beloved friends, will 
return in peace to your dear connexions, saying 
" Bless the Lord, oh my soul, and all that is 
within me, bless His holy name.'' 

llth mo., 1835. 
To E. P. K. : 

I received thy truly acceptable letter of last 
month, and also a cordially grateful one of earlier 
date, from Tennessee, which caused my mind to 
be dipped into near sympathy with you in your 
mountainous journey, in heights and in depths. 



LETTERS. 109 

sometimes east down, but not destroyed. It 
seemed as if my spirit went with you from place 
to place ; that the Eternal God was your refuge, 
and underneath were the Everlasting Arms. 

I expected dear H. C. B. would be released 
from farther labour on our shores when Ohio 
Yearly Meeting was over, and I feel my spirit re- 
joice as I write, that she has been mercifally and 
wonderfully preserved through such a long and 
perilous journey, and leaves us with that peace 
which passeth all understanding. I believe she 
has done much towards removing the prejudices 
of the people respecting the principles of our 
society, and in encouraging Friends in their 
religious duties — perhaps none more so; for 
thou very well knowest her devotion to, and 
zeal for the cause of Truth ; that no diflBculty 
which presented, however formidable, could pre- 
vent her from attending to apprehended duty ; 
her life, her all seemed to be given up to spend 
and to be spent for the sake of precious souls. 

Thou inquirest about our little H. B. Hunt. 
She is a very interesting little girl, with an ex- 
pressive countenance. I often pray that the 
Lord may bless the child, and that a double 
portion of the spirit of the dear Friend for whom 
she was named may rest upon her. 



110 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 1st mo. 27, 1837. 
Dear Friend, G. H. : 

Thy truly acceptable favour of the 7th inst 
came safely to hand on the 25th. It breathed 
so much of the spirit and feeling of the heart 
of the writer that it touched the inmost feelings 
of my soul with gratitude and thankfulness to 
the Lord, and tears trickled down my wayworn 
cheeks like falling rain, and I could say with 
David, " Thou preparest a table before me in 
the presence of mine enemies, thou anointest 
my head with oil, my cup runneth over, surely 
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days 
of my life,'' and by His holy permission "I 
will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever/' 
" The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness there- 
of, the world, and they that dwell therein ; for 
he hath founded it upon the seas, and establish- 
ed it upon the floods. Who shall ascend into 
the hill of the Lord, and who shall stand in his 
holy place ? He that hath clean hands and a 
pure heart." What a marvellous lesson of in- 
struction is here brought to our view of the 
wondrous works of the Lord, and his regard 
unto his humble creatures who have clean hands 
and pure hearts, whose eyes are unto him as 
the eve of the servant is unto his master, and 



LETTERS. Ill 

the eye of the maid unto her mistress ? These 
shall ascend into the hill of the Lord, and stand 
in his holy place. How sublime the allusion to 
the seas and the floods, calculated to draw the 
attention of thy mind in a peculiar manner, as 
thou gather est thy earthly treasure from them, 
by the favour and blessing of Him who appear- 
ed to Moses in a flame of fire in the bush, and 
instructed him what he must do ; but Moses 
scarcely could believe he was prepared for such 
a service. He felt his extreme littleness, and 
fain would have put it on another. But he was 
the man called upon to do the business, and no 
other could take his place. So it is w^th every 
one of us ; we have our place and labour as- 
signed to us by the great Head of the Church, 
and no other can do it for us. Now, my dear 
G. and S., it presents to my mind to mention 
to you some of the language of the Spirit to 
the Church of Philadelphia : "I know thy 
works; behold, I have set before thee an open 
door, and no man can shut it, for thou hast a 
little strength, and hast kept my word, and 
hast not denied my name." 0, my dear friends. 
you have a little strength, and have not denied 
the name of Jesus in perilous times, if you will 
be faithful, in the further language of the Spirit 



112 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

he will sustain you under the temptations and 
afflictions of time. '' Because thou hast kept 
the word of my patience, I also will keep thee 
from the hour of temptation, which shall come 
upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon 
the earth." Words cannot express the near- 
ness of feeling and sympathy with and for you, 
that I experienced in reading thy letter. It 
seemed as if I was present with you, drinking 
of the same cup, and mingling in your feelings 
and fears, beholding the trials that surround 
you, and the temptations that beset you. This 
cementing together in the celestial bond and 
covenant of light and life is more to me than 
gold or silver, or aught else that this world can 
give ; and yet these things, under proper regu- 
lations, kept as the moon under foot, are great 
blessings. 

I do assure thee, my dear friend, thy kin^ 
donation to our boarding-school concern was a 
very cheering thing. My son, Thomas T. Hunt, 
one of the committee, was sitting near me when 
I read thy letter. He burst into tears, and 
said, he never had been more discouraged about 
it than he had been that morning; it really 
seemed like the light of heaven shining on the 
concern. I have no doubt it will have like 



LETTERS. 113 

effect on all the committee, and many other 
Friends. And truly, thy kind attention to me 
is exceedingly grateful. 

Very affectionately, 

Nathan Hunt. 



TO E. p. K. 

lOth mo. 7, 1836. 

I have often thought of replying to thy last 
very acceptable letter, but the ability seemed 
so small for the performance of it, that I have 
put it off from time to time, hoping I might 
feel a little more strength ; but as age and in- 
firmity are daily increasing upon me, I have 
concluded to delay no longer, having desired 
exceedingly to hear from thee again, and of 
thy prosperity in all things that relate to thy 
growth and advancement in that path of duty 
intended for thee by the great Head of the 
Church, when he laid his holy hand upon thee 
to pluck thee as a brand from the burning, that 
thou mightest become perfect in beauty^ and as 
a polished shaft in his quiver. 

My mind has been frequently led into deep 
sympathy with the travailing seed everyw^here. 
It sometimes seems to be drawn into all parts 
of the habitable earth, where the sons and 



114 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

daughters of men dwell ; and here and there I 
find a little seed struggling for relief, and my 
soul is nearly united to it in the bond and cove- 
nant of everlasting love. I feel almost daily 
more alive to the sufferings of humanity and 
the groans of the oppressed, accompanied with 
the persuasion that a great work is on the 
wheel, and that changes will be brought about, 
altogether out of the reach of human control, 
both in Church and State. 

Words come far short of expressing the con- 
cern I feel for our own Society — that Friends 
may be preserved in the meekness of wisdom, 
under the direction of Jesus of Nazareth^ the 
ancient Rock and Foundation of this people. 



TO 



4th mo. 12, 1838. 

Thy last, my very dear , is grateful to 

my best feelings, believing, from its contents, 
thou art in health of body and mind. 

The accounts I have received of my dear 
and well-beloved J. J. G., are comforting to my 
heart. It did me good to hear of T. Wistar, 
and E. Yarnall, and J. W. Morris, and T. 
Stewardson, men to w^hom my soul is nearly 



LETTERS. 115 

united in the fellowship of the Gospel, gather- 
ing round and uniting with him in spirit, like 
Aaron and Hur, bearing up the hands of 
Moses in a great struggle for victory, and 
Moses had to sit on the hard stone till it 
was obtained. But though the conflict may be 
long and sore, it cannot be doubtful to the well- 
disciplined and courageous soldiers of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, because the encouraging promise 
is, the Lamb and his followers shall have the 
victory. I have never known a brother or fel- 
low-labourer in the glorious Gospel of Christ 
with whom I could more feelingly unite in the 
flowings forth of the Holy Spirit, both in testi- 
mony and in prayer. His visit to our late 
Yearly Meeting has left on many of our spirits 
thankfulness and gratitude of heart to the great 
Head of the Church for sending the full cloud, 
and causing it to come down upon us as the 
rain, and distil as the dew, as the small rain 
upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon 
the grass ; because " he published the name of 
the Lord, ascribing greatness unto our God." 
I have not the smallest doubt of his being per- 
fectly sound in the doctrines of the Gospel of 
our holy Redeemer, but his capacious mind 
takes such an extensive range that an ordinary 
mind cannot easily follow him. The doctrine 



116 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

of the resurrection is very precious to me, and 
I believe in it according to the Scripture. I 
very much unite with J. J. G.'s view of the 
Scriptures having a literal as well as spiritual 
meaning, and rightly to understand them is a 
great attainment. There certainly is nothing 
can unfold them to us but the key of David. I 
believe the Lord will give each soul a body such 
as pleases him, and when it pleases him, and 
there think best to leave it. 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C^ 6th mo. ^25, 1838. 
My dear friend, G. H. injj-<C r«.v^ '^~ ^^it^^J^ 

Our boarding-school seems to be going on t 
quite agreeably, and our teachers, we think, ^^ 
understand their business well. J. S.'s health ^ 
has been delicate for some time past. He has 
some prospect of leaving us about the first of 
the 8th month. I know not how we shall do 
without him ; he is peculiarly qualified to ma- 
nage such an institution. But He that has pro- 
vided for us hitherto, I trust, will continue to 
provide. 

The time of your Yearly Meeting is now ap- 
proaching. How I should love to be with you ! 
but age and infirmity forbid it. I hope my 
dear and well-beloved friend, Joseph John Gur- 



LETTERS. 117 

ney, will be with you. I believe him to be one 
of the meekest, most humble-spirited, and de- 
voted followers of Jesus in our Society, and 
calculated to do the greatest amount of good. 
I have seen no man with whom my soul was 
more nearly united in the fellowship of the 
Gospel. If he comes to New Bedford, receive 
him as my poor self. I greatly desire that thou 
and thy dear wife may find it to be in the way 
of your duty to be with us at our next Yearly 
Meeting, and begin, on the receipt of this let- 
ter, to make arrangements to accomplish the 
desirable object. My deep solicitude for thee 
and thine is as vigorous as ever, and prayer 
often ascends from the altar of my old and 
feeble heart that the Divine presence may en- 
camp round about you, and preserve you from 
ever making one step out of the way to His 
house, and also guard the outgoings and incom- 
ings of your worldly interest, both on sea and 
land, that it may be a blessing, under Divine 
direction, to you and many others. 

My general health is quite good, for my age. 
My dear children and friends are in usual 
health. Dugan and Asenath Clark were at our 
meeting last first-day. I thought I never heard 
her more favoured than she was in testimony 



118 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT 

and supplication. Please to excuse bad writing, 
and everything incorrect in this letter. I have 
been so unwell for several days past that I am 
scarcely able to write. 

My dear love to you all, and to friends gene- 
rally, as opportunity offers. Please let me hear 
from thee when convenient. 

Nathan Hunt. 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 2d mo. 1, 1839. 
My dearly beloved friend, G. H. : 

* * * * I think it is due to thee to 
have this particular information respecting the 
management of it, as thou hast manifested such 
a deep interest for the prosperity of our beloved 
infant institution by thy works of charity and 
love, and in the alms-deeds thou hast done ; 
for which methinks I see the dew of Heaven 
distilling on thee and thy beloved family — 
moistening the soil of the contrite heart, and 
preparing it to gather and receive the glorious 
harvest of immortality and eternal life in that 
broad stream, wherein shall go no galley with 
oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby. 
The desire I feel for your prosperity in the 
pure truth as it is in Jesus of Nazareth, still 
continues without any abatement in prayer and 



LETTERS. 119 

supplication that tiie Lord may be pleased to 
keep you in the midst of his pavilion ; that his 
multiplied temporal blessings may never ob- 
scure in the least degree the bright shining of 
his holy spirit in your precious souls ; that no- 
thing may induce him to withdraw his guardian 
care from hovering round you — and as the eye 
of the servant is unto the hand of his master, 
and the eye of the maiden unto the hand of her 
mistress, so let your eyes be unto the Lord in 
all things. Never let it be said of you, as it 
was of Tyrus : " Thou wast upon the holy 
mountain of God, thou hast walked up and 
down in the midst of the stones of fire ; thou 
wast perfect in thy yrays from the day thou 
wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." 
0, my dear friends, that the multitude of your 
merchandise may never be the cause of ini- 
quity being found in you, but the more your 
earthly treasure is increased so much the more 
let your minds be humbled and concerned to 
be simple, plain, and consistent members of 
the church of a crucified Lord ; remembering 
that you are only stewards over that which be- 
longs to Another, to whom you must give an 
account of what disposition you have made of it. 
I have sometimes fancied I could see your 



120 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

gallant ships sailing to the South Seas, gather- 
ing their freight and returning richly laden 
and coming to anchor in New Bedford harbour 
under the care of some guardian angel. And 
to crown all, it seemed as if I could see thee, 
my very dear G., going on board with a hum- 
ble heart and thoughtful mind to receive the 
rich treasures of the seas, which the Lord hath 
sent thee ; not altogether for thyself, but for 
the comfort of many from whom those plenti- 
ful supplies have been withheld ; that when the 
ear heard thee it might bless thee, and when 
the eye saw thee it might give witness to thee 
— thus we may justly say with the prophet: 
"Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, 
thou God of Israel, the Saviour." I have, my 
beloved friend, written these things which I 
had no thought of when I sat down ; it feels 
to me that they will be pleasant to thee, and 
that thou wilt receive them in the love in which 
they are written. 

I intended writing to thee soon after our 
Yearly Meeting, but Nathan Mendenhall, the 
clerk, was requested to write and inform thee 
that thy kind and valuable donation was re- 
ceived by the Meeting with that due respect 
and gratitude that the occasion required ; and 
I hope he has done it in a suitable manner. 



LETTERS. 121 

I am, through the mercies of Him who loved 
us and gave himself for us, in pretty good 
health ; able to attend meetings nearly all th^ 
time, and have attended several Quarterljf 
Meetings since our Yearly Meeting to my com- 
fort and satisfaction. Our late Yearly Meet- 
ing was a time of as much precious favour as 
we have had in any former years, though we 
had no Friends from a distance with us. 

It is my serious judgment that Friends can- 
not safely join in the popular doings of the ultra 
Abolitionists, but do all they can in their own 
simple way. 

I am getting along in my temporal business 
as usual. The competition is such that the profit 
on sales is small ; but we are doing pretty com- 
fortably, and I am truly thankful for every 
blessing that the Lord is pleased to furnish me 
with — and I live happily because I trust in the 
Lord for everything, and know he will do all 
for the best. Please write, my beloved friend, 
as soon as thou feelest ready after getting this. 

In near and dear love to thee and thy pre- 
cious wife and your children, I remain un- 
changeably. 

Your affectionate friend, 

Nathan Hunt. 



122 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

TO THE YEARLY MEETIN(i NOW SITTING. 

Newgarden School, 11th mo. 7, 1839. 
Dear Friends : 

Brothers and sisters, I apprehend there have 
been through the various sittings of the Meet- 
ing many wistful lookings towards a certain 
place in the upper seat, near the clerk's right 
hand. The former occupant is not there, and 
probably never will be again ; he has a com- 
fortable hope, there is a mansion prepared for 
him in the house eternal in the heavens, where 
he hopes to meet many of you. I have been 
much with you in spirit. Dear friends, through 
the several sittings of the Meeting, especially 
on third-day, with the readers and labourers 
when the state of society was before you, it 
seemed as though I saw the pure stream of the 
water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out 
of the throne of God and the Lamb, flowing 
like pure oil to the nethermost skirts of the 
company — and many dear creatures, old and 
young, drinking it as it passed ; yet there ap- 
peared to be others indifferent and let it pass 
on without partaking of it — whilst they who 
do receive it will revive as the corn, grow as 
the vine, and their scent will be as the wine of 
Lebanon. 



LETTERS. 123 

I think I have seen that Zion will be redeem- 
ed through judgments, and her converts through 
righteousness ; and that the Lord will turn his 
hand upon his people in this part of his vine- 
yard, and purely purge away all their dross 
and take away all their tin, and restore judges 
as at the first and councillors as at the be- 
ginning ; and the language will be to them, 
Where have they been? and her young men and 
maidens will flow to the standard of Jesus of 
Nazareth ; for when Zion travailed she brought 
forth children, it seems to me the language 
may be adopted, Who hath heard such things, 
who hath seen such things ? Shall the earth be 
made to bring forth in one day, or shall a 
nation be born at once ; for as soon as Zion 
travailed, she brought forth her children ? 
Shall I bring to the birth and not cause to 
bring forth ? saith the Lord ; shall I cause to 
bring forth and shut the womb ? saith thy God. 
Rejoice ye with Jerusalem, and be glad with 
her all ye that love her ; rejoice for joy all ye 
that mourn for her — that you may suck and be 
satisfied with the breasts of her consolation; 
that you may milk out and be delighted with 
the abundance of her glory. For thus saith the 
Lord : I will extend peace to her like a river, 



124 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing 
stream. Then shall you suck ; ye shall be 
born, and shall be dandled upon her knees as 
one whom his mother comforteth; so will I 
comfort you, and ye shall be comforted in 
Jerusalem. And when you see this your hearts 
shall rejoice, and your bones shall flourish like 
an herb ; and the hand of the Lord shall be 
known towards his servants, and his indigna- 
tion towards his enemies — for I believe after 
much tribulation, the corn of the kingdom of 
heaven will make the young men cheerful, and 
new wine the maids. 

So I conclude my little communication with 
feelings of near sympathy and unity with the 
travailing seed and mourners in Zion ; and 
bid you farewell in the love of the everlasting 

Gospel. 

Your afi*ectionate friend, 

Nathan Hunt, Sr. 
Who is often brought to the acknowledg- 
ment that he is an unprofitable servant, that 
hath not done half of his duty to his Lord and 
Master. My mind is often drawn into near 
and feeling sympathy with the messengers of 
the glad tidings of the everlasting Gospel to 



LETTERS. 125 

a guilty world, desiring their encouragement 
under the comforting assurance, that although 
they have gone forth weeping, they shall come 
again with rejoicing, bringing their sheaves 
with them. 

Guilford Co., N. C, 4th mo. 9, 1840. 
To E. P. K. : 

To find I was retained in such near sympathy 
and affectionate remembrance by thee my dear 
E., after the lapse of so many days, was like 
the rain that rains in summer after a scorching 
drought. Many changing scenes have passed 
since we had a personal interview, yet the recol- 
lection of the pleasant hours and precious op- 
portunities we have been partakers of together, 
with our mutually beloved friends J. and H. C. 
B., appears to be indelibly engraven on thy 
mind ; hours wherein the heavenly dew distilled 
upon us, and we experienced a drinking into the 
same spirit, a partaking of the waters of that 
river that maketh glad the whole heritage of 
God. These were indeed times of refreshment 
from the presence of the Lord, to prepare the 
poor tried mind for future necessary baptisms, 
to make the immortal spirit meet for a mansion 
in the house not made with hands, eternal in 



126 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

the heavens, where the enemy will cease to 
trouble, and the weary soul will be for ever at 
rest. 

Thou seemest to have been led into remark- 
able sympathy with me, dear E., in the time 
of my illness, and as thou requestest particular 
information respecting it, it is only a reasonable 
duty to endeavour to furnish it. I was taken 
the last of 10th month, with what the doctors 
call a congestive state of the body, the blood 
not circulating properly, which occasioned great 
numbness in my limbs, so that all present 
thought I would die, but I did not think the 
time was come. I felt exceedingly sweet and 
comfortable, so that I could not forbear praising 
the Lord, and through His mercy, I revived so 
much, that on first-day I went to New Garden, 
and was taken into a chamber in the school- 
house where I remained throughout the Yearly 
Meeting, full of love to everybody — hundreds 
of people came in to see me, and many of them 
left the chamber with tears streaming from their 
eyes. Dear Stephen Grellet and John Elliot 
could tell thee more than I can write — they 
were very acceptably with us. My limbs still 
feel numb, and I know not what may be the 
issue, but desire to be wholly resigned to the 



LETTERS. 127 

will of my Heavenly Father in all things, and 
to be enabled to give Him thanks for all His 
dispensations to me. I know it is of His un- 
merited mercy that I am in the land of the 
living. Thy soothing expressions were truly 
grateful to my feelings, when thou sayest, " I 
do assuredly believe, that the God of all true 
consolation is near to help and to sustain thee, 
bidding thee lean upon His staflf of love and 
power, and causing thee to rest at seasons beside 
the still waters of life." 

This was strikingly my happy experience for 
some weeks after the first attack — all still and 
quiet, and as Samuel Bownas says, the presence 
of my Heavenly Father was with me night and 
day. My heart was full of love ! There were 
times of great pressure about my heart, and 
diflSculty of breathing, so that it seemed as if I 
could not live a moment, and there appeared to 
be nothing in my way. The calmness and 
sweetness I then felt could not be expressed, 
but He who knoweth best what is best for us, 
in His inscrutable wisdom saw meet to change 
the scene from this state of joy and consolation 
to one inexpressibly awful. He set all my sins 
in order before me, from the days of my youth 
until that time, and, blessed be His holy name, 



128 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

He showed me the deceit, corruption, and vile- 
ness of my own heart, and how the pure seed 
of life is borne down under the wickedness of 
the world, as a cart laden with sheaves. There 
were days and nights in which it appeared to 
me as if I felt the awful situation of those poor 
souls that are separated from the Divine har- 
mony^ placed on the left hand^ going aivay into 
everlasting punishment^ and I scarcely dared to 
hope but that I must be one of the number. 
It seemed as if I could almost hear the dreadful 
sound, " Cro^ ye cursed^'' when there was nobody 
in the room ; and in the night I was on my 
knees, and with my mouth on the floor in 
prayer and supplication ; but the earth was like 
iron, and the heavens were like brass — there 
seemed to be no entrance, and I felt as Jonah 
did, when he cried, '' Thou hast cast me into 
the deep, in the midst of the seas, and the floods 
compass me about, all thy billows and thy waves 
pass over me." Then I said, I am cast out of 
thy sight, yet will I look again towards thy holy 
temple. I went down to the bottom of the 
mountains, the earth with her bars was about 
me for ever, and I could say with Job, " I went 
forward, but He was not there, and backward, 
but I could not perceive him." Truly, my dear 



LETTERS. 129 

friend, thy expressions are remarkable and 
strictly applicable to me, when thou say est, ''I 
have also thought it not improbable that in his 
infinite and inscrutable wisdom He may see meet 
to administer yet closer conflicts and yet deeper 
baptisms than thou hast ever known, proving 
thy faith and patience to the very uttermost.'* 
There are no babes in Christ but what are per- 
mitted to express any impression that is made on 
their minds to me^ respecting anything they feel 
on my account. The all-important subject which 
thou now bringest to view of the blessed Pattern, 
was almost incessantly before me ; His agony 
on the cross, and his solemn cry, " My God, 
my God, why hast thou forsaken me V sounding 
in my ears, and I believe I never before saw so 
clearly the necessity of dying on the cross to 
all human doings — that if we would reign with 
Christ, we must also suffer with him ; surely it 
is enough for the unworthy servant to be as his 
dear Lord. There has been a little grain of 
faith through all this deep conflict ; and oh, saith 
my soul, that the promise to those that overcome^ 
to which thou alludest in thy concluding lines, 
may indeed be fulfilled in my experience : Rev. 
iii. 12. The clear evidence that the hand of 
the Lord was with thee in writing that letter, 

9 



130 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

has induced me to give thee the preceding ac- 
count, which I never expected to mention to 
any one. My mind has often been affection- 
ately turned towards thee^ dear child, for thou 
feelest like a daughter to me ; believing thou 
often walkest alone, and strewest thy tears in 
secret places, it is in my heart to say to thee, 
dear E., ''hold on thy way^'' for I assuredly 
believe thou wilt be one of that great multitude 
which no man could number, that came out of 
great tribulation, and washed their robes and 
made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 
Therefore are they before the throne of God, 
and serve him day and night in His temple — 
they shall hunger no more, &c. I feel a comfort- 
able hope that through Divine mercy I also 
shall be one of this blessed number, and that 
when the afflictions of time are passed, we shall 
walk together in white — tears come at the sweet 
thought. May the Eternal God be thy refuge 
and underneath the everlasting arms. 

There is no diminution in my near love, unity, 
and sympathy with dear J. J. G. in his ardu- 
ous engagement. The night before I received 
thy most welcome letter, I was much with him 
in spirit, among the Islands afar off — in prayer 
and supplication, that the Lord might preserve 



LETTERS. 131 

him in meekness and humility, and bless his 
labours to the gathering of thousands and tens 
of thousands of the islanders into His heavenly 
kingdom, and that there might be a great and 
good church of true Quakers established among 
the mingled people. I felt remarkably drawn 
to him that night, and to the people there. 
May the Lord bless Mm and tJiem^ with clear 
understanding of the things of His heavenly 
kingdom. 

Spkingfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 12tli mo. 10, 1840. 
My very dear friend, G. H. : 

It is so long since I have had any informa- 
tion from thee, that although my sight is very 
dim, and it is other ways diflScult for me to 
write, the desire I feel to hear how thou and 
thy dear family are getting along through the 
shifting scenes of this uncertain state of being, 
and above all, that your precious souls may be 
in a state of perfect health and soundness, pre- 
pared to hear the solemn call, whether in the 
evening, at midnight, cock-crowing, or in the 
morning, '' Steward, give an account of thy 
stewardship, for thou mayest no longer be stew- 
ard," and enter into a mansion in the house 
eternal in the heavens, that is not made with 



132 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

hands, prepared for all those who do love the 
Lord Jesus Christ more than father or mother, 
house or land, or any earthly treasure what- 
ever, that it seemed as if I could not restrain 
the overflowing feelings of my soul towards you 
any longer, but give them vent under the influ- 
ence of that love that breathes glory to God in 
the highest, on earth peace, good-will towards 
men. Oh ! the sweetness of this pure stream of 
love is beyond the reach of language to express ! 
It surpasses all human understanding ; it is like 
the pure river of the water of life that John saw, 
clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of 
God and the Lamb. Well might the holy apostle 
say, " Without controversy great is the mystery 
of godliness ; God was manifest in the flesh, justi- 
fied in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto 
the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received 
up into glory." Often is my mind introduced 
into deep consideration on the wonderful plan 
of redemption through the atoning blood of 
our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. How con- 
spicuously the love of God is displayed to his 
poor, erring creature, man, in this great mys- 
tery of " God manifest in the flesh." Although 
the fulness of the Godhead dwelt in him bodily, 
he for our sakes made himself of no reputation, 



LETTERS. 13o 

took upon him the form of a servant, and was 
made in the likeness of men, and being found 
in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and 
became obedient unto death, even the death of 
the cross ; wherefore God hath also highly ex- 
alted him, and given him a name which is above 
every name, that at the name of Jesus every 
knee should bow, of things in heaven, and 
things in earth, and things under the earth, and 
that every tongue should confess that Jesus 
Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 
Let us be humbled, my dear friends, under a 
sense of the stupendous love of our Heavenly 
Father, in the provision that he has made for 
us, that he who was holy, harmless, undefiled, 
and separate from sinners, higher than the 
kings of the earth, hath condescended to take 
our iniquities upon him, that by his stripes we 
might be healed, if we will come unto him in 
all meekness and lowliness of mind, through 
the highway of holiness that he has opened for 
us upon the cross. 

Oh, come, my beloved friends, father and 
mother, sons and daughters, let us lay aside 
every weight, and the sin that doth so easily 
beset us, and let us run with patience the race 
that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the 



134 MEMOIU OF NATHAN HUNT. 

author and finisher of our faith, who, for the 
joy that was set before him, endured the cross, 
despising the shame, and is set down at the 
right hand of the throne of God, to make in- 
tercession for us ; for he knoweth our frame, 
he remembereth that we are dust, and like as a 
father pitieth his chihiren, so the Lord pitieth 
them that fear him. His tender compassions 
are over his little ones, who are sitting in soli- 
tary places, in the secret chambers of the earth, 
pouring forth their sighs and tears in beholding 
the many departures from the ancient, pure, 
plain, simple testimonies which were given this 
people to bear, against the spirit, fashions, and 
customs of the world, that are now greatly de- 
stroying the beauty and comeliness of our Zion. 
In many instances how is the gold become dim, 
and the fine gold changed ! Thus, in latter 
days it hath taken place that those who were 
exalted, and extolled, and stood very high in 
the esteem of many, have been poured out as 
the stones of the sanctuary in the top of the 
streets. And still there seem to be the work- 
ings of the old leaven, which cause the travail- 
ing seed that is borne down as a cart laden with 
sheaves, in the hearts of the true mourners in 
our Zion everywhere, to fear lest more of her 



LETTERS. 135 

p"*ecious sons should become as earthen pitchers, 
and Satan should be permitted to sift this peo- 
ple again and again, until the dregs, and dross, 
and chaiF of the spirit and fashion of this world 
be taken away, and a pure language be return- 
ed^unto them. Yea, the Lord hath assuredly 
left in the midst of us an afflicted and poor 
people that do trust in him, and he will not 
leave them or forsake them until he has brought 
forth judgment unto truth over all that is high 
and lifted up among this people, that he raised 
up to show forth his praise on the earth ; and 
his afflicted children shall return and come unto 
Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their 
heads ; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and 
sorrow and sighing shall flee away. My dear 
friends, we have much to encourage us to be 
faithful in the discharge of all our religious 
duties, notwithstanding the many hindering 
things that are in the way, for there will be 
Holiness to the Lord on the horses' bells, and 
the pots in the Lord's house will be like the 
bowls before the altar. I pray that the Lord, 
in his inscrutable wisdom, may be pleased to 
raise up amongst this people many faithful 
labourers, like unto these bells, pots, and bowls, 
and send them forth into his harvest-field, that 



136 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

the knowledge of the spirituality and purity of 
the Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus 
Christ may be increased in the earth. * * 

TO JONATHAN AND HANNAH C. BACKHOUSE. 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 12th mo. 22, 1840. 
My dearly beloved Friends : 

I duly received your truly acceptable letter, 
dated 10th mo. 25, 1840, also one from my 
nearly united yoke-fellow in the Gospel, H. C. 
B., dated Liverpool, 29th of 6th mo., 1840. It 
was like cold flowing water to a thirsty soul to 
hear from you again, and to find that you were 
yet in the land of the living, as, from the ac- 
counts we received sometime back, I thought it 
was likely our beloved Jonathan was no more 
in this state of being, or if he was, probably 
he was not capable of having much enjoyment : 
and to hear he never enjoyed life more sweetly, 
was indeed truly comfortable. 

Last winter, about this time, 1 was reduced 
very low. Sometimes I had no thought that 1 
should live one hour, and the comfort and 
sweetness I then felt exceeded anything I had 
ever before known. All seemed to be love, 
peace, and joy unutterable. The room where 
I was lying seemed to be full of the presence 



LETTERS. 187 

of my Heavenly Father, and it appeared as if 
angels and glorified spirits were round me, 
and I thought I should immediately be among 
them. And the love I felt was like a mighty 
stream, flowing to all the human family, of 
every nation, tongue, kindred, and people, and 
in an especial manner to the travailing seed 
that appeared to be borne down in the hearts 
of the people everywhere, as a cart laden with 
sheaves. But there seemed to be a poor and 
afflicted people almost in every place, that were 
weeping for the desolation of Zion, and they 
were trusting in the Lord, and my soul was and 
is nearly united to this little company, in com- 
parison of the great multitude of mankind. 
And methinks I can see you walking in the 
ranks of the armies of the Lamb, and many 
others with you of my acquaintance in Eng- 
land, — although sorrowful to say, in many in- 
stances both with you and us, the gold has 
become dim, and the most fine gold changed. 
The stones of the sanctuary are poured out in 
the top of the street, and some of the precious 
stones of Zion, comparable to fine gold, how 
are they esteemed as earthen pitchers ! But 
after this season of the wonderful dealings of 
the Lord to one of the poorest and most un- 



138 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

•worthy of his creatures, words cannot set forth 
the unutterable woe, anguish, and sorrow that 
my blessed Lord and Master was pleased to 
plunge me into. 

I endeavoured to convey a short account of 
it to our mutually beloved and endeared E. K., 
which I think it likely she has communicated 
to you. I think I mentioned to her there were 
several weeks that there was not a ray of hope 
to be felt, but blessed, praised, and adored be 
the name of the Lord for ever and ever, when 
it seemed as if I was sinking fast down to hell, 
he caused the soothing language of Moses to 
the children of Israel (when in their deep dis- 
tress), to pass through my disconsolate mind, 
" Stand still, and see the salvation of the 
Lord," "The Egyptians whom ye have seen 
to-day, ye shall see them again no more for 
ever," and a precious calm came over my mind. 
Oh, how shall I be thankful enough to the Lord 
for his exceeding mercy in thus causing the hor- 
rors of the awful pit to pass aw^ay, and the 
light of his sweet countenance to shine upon 
me ! As the spring came on, and the weather 
became warm, I gradually improved in my 
health, and my limbs gained strength, so that 
I could walk about comfortably, and attend 



LETTERS. 139 

meetings, and enjoy the company of my friends 
through the summer and autumn. And, won- 
derful to relate, according to the hope express- 
ed in thy kind letter, that thou shouldst hear 
of my attending another Yearly Meeting, so it 
came to pass. I was permitted, through the 
tender mercies of my Heavenly Father, to at- 
tend all the sittings of our last Yearly Meeting, 
greatly to my edification and comfort, having 
the great privilege of being once more incorpo- 
rated with my dear brethren and sisters in the 
militant church, when the year before I w^as 
lying in a chamber, in the school-house, and 
there was no prospect that I would live many 
days. And I addressed the meeting on paper, 
in a manner as a dead man, but through the 
unmerited mercies of the great Head of the 
Church, I was favoured, I humbly hope, to ad- 
dress the late Yearly Meeting as a living man. 

We had very acceptably the company of our 
dear friends, T. and E. Robson, whose labours 
of love were truly edifying ; it was a very 
satisfactory meeting, and closed wdth prayer, 
thanksgiving, and praise to the Lord. 

A report from the Committee that has the 
charge of our Boarding School concerns, says 
the school is healthy, and going on in harmony 



140 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

and good order ; a hope is expressed that it 
would be sustained. Twenty of the scholars 
who have been taught at the school, have since 
become teachers ; twenty-eight have partaken 
of the benefits of the charitable fund, fourteen 
of whom have been in the school the past year. 
The average number of scholars the past year 
has been forty-two ; twenty males, and twenty- 
two females. The deranged state of the mo- 
neyed concerns of our government operates very 
much against our infant institution ; how we 
shall get along with it I do not know. I did 
believe the beginning of it was in pure wisdom, 
and still do — my trust is in the Lord — as the 
earth and the fulness thereof are the Lord's, 
and the cattle upon a thousand hills are his, 
and the people upon the earth are his great 
family ; and the Society of Friends he raised 
up in a very peculiar and remarkable manner 
to show forth his praise, as a band of brothers 
united in the promotion of the one great cause 
of glory to God in the highest, on earth peace 
and good will to men. And you, my dear 
friends, are a striking example of dedication 
to this great and glorious cause. 

If our dearly beloved , is with you, I 

want her to know, I duly received her pre- 



LETTERS. 141 

cious letter, dated at Stony Brook, 8th mo. Sd, 
1840, and that its contents were feelingly grate- 
ful to my best life. Her letters have been 
peculiarly soothing to me in my afflictions, and 
the heavy trials that my heavenly Father in his 
inscrutable wisdom has been pleased to visit 
me with, that all of the dregs and dross of 
nature might be purely purged away ; bless 
and praise his great and excellent name for all 
his dealings with me, but most of all for the 
"severe." My dear and tenderest love is to 

and with wherever she may be, either 

in heights or depths, or under the shadow of 
the mighty Rock in a weary land, may she re- 
vive as the corn and grow as the vine, and the 
scent of the dedication of her heart to the Lord 
be as the wine of Lebanon ; — that the plant 
that has made its appearance in favour of Zion 
may take root downwards and bear a plentiful 
crop of good fruit upwards, is the desire of my 
soul. 

Our dear Thomas is now in his usual health, 
as my children all are, and all of them mani- 
fest a disposition to excel in kindness to me ; 
to anticipate all my wants, and relieve my 
mind from care ; and I go from one place to 
another among them as often as it is convenient, 



142 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

though my particular place of residence is at 
the old homestead with Thomas and Nancy — 
she is like a mother and daughter to me in pro- 
viding things suitable for a poor, old, worn-out 
father ; as all the rest are, when I am with 
them. 

I have a very interesting group of little 
granddaughters, Mary and Martha at Na- 
than's ; Hannah B., Eliza K., and Laura Ade- 
line at home. I think their minds seem to be 
rather of a superior cast for their age, and to 
see them together in their sportive gambols of 
play is deeply interesting ; and it is affecting 
to me to consider, if they live a few years they 
will be women, and to think on what Job saith : 
" Man that is born of a woman is of a few days 
and full of trouble," &c., it aflfects my heart 
with deep feeling for them, and a prayer arises : 
^' Lord, preserve them through the many hidden 
snares and dangers that await them." Han- 
nah B. is of a good size for a child of six years 
old ; her eyes hazel, her hair light ; she stands 
erect and walks handsomely. Eliza K. rather 
inclines to be fleshy, her hair light, her eyes 
of a sparkling blue, her motion graceful and 
dignified for a child of little more than four 
years old. Laura Adeline, about two years 



LETTERS. 143 

old, dark hair, black eyes, brown skin, features 
fine and symmetrical for a child of her age. 
Mary is rather slender, of a delicate frame, 
light hair, blue eyes, fair skin, and manifests 
as much intelligence as almost any child of her 
age. Martha is rather of the short form, dark 
hair, black eyes, brown skin, handsome fea- 
tures, and not a whit behind any of them in 
point of intellect. I thought it would not be 
uninteresting to you to have a little sketch of 
my group of little granddaughters, that I have 
near me, and frequently round me, saying, 
" This is my dear grandfather." 

You are very sweetly and affectionately re- 
membered by many friends in this part of the 
country ; many kind inquiries made when I 
have heard from you, &c. John Carter and 
family well ; his father in a declining state of 
health ; his brother Isaac and wife had five 
beautiful little daughters — one of them was 
taken a few weeks since with inflammatory 
sore throat, and in about two weeks they were 
every one laid in the ground, and they bore it 
with great Christian fortitude. 

It is indeed a great satisfaction to hear our 
dearly beloved J. J. Gurney has got safely 
home to his dear family and friends, and enjoy 



144 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

ing SO sweetly the fruits of his long and faithful 
labours on our shores. May the angel of the 
Lord be commissioned to encamp round about 
him, day and night, that no evil may be per- 
mitted to come near him. There is no man 
for whom I feel a more deep and sincere in- 
terest that nothing may mar his beauty and 
comeliness, and that meekness and humility 
may be his daily covering ; that his hands may 
not be wounded in the house of his friends by 
any fiery darts of the enemy. I felt very near 
unity with him in his labours in our part of the 
country, and intend writing to him if I should 
feel able. Give my dear love to him, and to his 
sister, E. Fry. My sight is so dim I scarcely 
can see letters when I have made them, that 
bad writing and errors will be excused. 

Now in closing this letter my heart greets 
you most feelingly in the bonds of the ever- 
lasting Gospel, with desires that the Eternal 
God may be your refuge in heights and in 
depths, and in whatever trials you may have to 
pass through in this probationary state, till 
you shall have finished the work he has as- 
signed to you in this lower world, and that 
finally he may receive your purified spirits into 
eternal rest with the o-reat multitude that have 



LETTERS. 145 

gone before, and where I hope to unite with 
you in due time. In much nearness of feeling 
and unity of spirit, in which my dear children 
join in love to you, your dear mother, and 
your children and our beloved E. K., 
Your affectionate friend, 

Nathan Hunt. 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 4th mo. 80, 1841. 
My near and dearly beloved friend G. H. : 

I received thy very acceptable letter, dated 
the 11th inst., day before yesterday; it was 
indeed like cold flowing water to a thirsty soul, 
for I had been for some time desiring to hear 
from thee in a two-fold sense ; first, from the 
deep concern I feel for the eternal well-being 
of thyself and family, and above all things that 
you may be in spiritual health, growling from 
stature to stature, till you arrive to that of full 
men and women in Christ ; and though you. 
like the children of the Lord formerly, do not 
feel free to partake of the luxuries of the wines 
and meats of this uncertain and ever-failing 
world, but partake freely of the simple, plain 
pulse of Jesus of Nazareth, and drink freely 
of the pure river of the water of life, it will 
make your countenances appear fairer and 

10 



146 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

fatter in flesh than all who do indulge in the 
grace of the fashion of this world, which destroys 
the beautiful image that God made man in — a 
little lower than the angels, and crowned him 
with glory and honour, and set him over the 
works of his hands. How exceedingly neces- 
sary is it that man should maintain the dignity 
of the station that his Maker designed him to 
fill ; having a pure principle placed within him 
that comes from God, and is always near in 
every time of trial to point out the way in which 
we should go, if we are still enough to hear it ; 
saying intelligibly in the ear of the soul, " this 
is the way, walk in it." What encouragement 
to us, seeing we are furnished with such an in- 
fallible guide, to continue patient in the way 
of well-doing; seeking glory and honour, im- 
mortality and eternal life. This is the blessed 
reward of faithful obedience to the pure and 
holy teacher within, which leads to the rivers 
of pleasure that are at God's right hand for 
ever more ; where the cheerful followers of the 
Lamb wheresoever he goeth may drink and be 
refreshed. 

My dear G. and S., I greatly desire you may 
lift up your heads in hope, for I believe the day 
of your redemption is drawing near, though you 



LETTERS. 147 

may live to see many days, and pass through 
many deep dippings and strippings for the pure 
testimony's sake, which I believe feels at times 
dearer to you than your natural lives, and you 
mourn in seeing and hearing of the rents and 
divisions that the boar of the woods has made 
and is making in our Israel, and spoiling the 
beautiful garment that this people once had on, 
the covering of the Spirit of Truth; and as 
you abide faithful in your allotted portion of 
labour, both spiritual and temporal, the language 
will apply to you, as the odour of the sweet 
ointment filled the room — " Let her alone, she 
hath done what she could/' 

In reading thy interesting letter, you never 
were brought more preciously near and dear to 
my feelings ; it savoured so much of the right 
disposition of mind, only I felt a little fear lest 
thou shouldest sometimes be too much discour- 
aged under the manifold engagements and cares 
which have fallen to thy lot to be occupied in 
and with. I believe thou art in the line of thy 
duty, and very extensively useful to the com- 
munity at large ; and methinks I see thee in the 
more secret walk of life, privately reaching out 
thy hand to the poor, and causing many hearts 
to leap for joy ; and thou walkest amidst the 



1-±S MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

blessings of the poor of this world, and hast 
thy pathway among the poor in spirit who are 
placed on the high ground of 'Hhe kingdom of 
heaven/' I desire thou and thy dear wife may 
lift up your heads in hope, for the Lord sees 
your works — that the last is more than the first ; 
that there is an increase of concern in your 
minds to do the will of our Father in heaven. 
It was very pleasant to me to hear of thy dear 
wife being out on religious service. I am sure 
it would be a most interesting thing to me if I 
should live, and my great and good Master 
(whom I desire to serve with all my heart, every 
moment of my life) should order it so as to 
have your company at our next Yearly Meeting ; 
and then you could see and feel for yourselves 
how things are among us, and that is better than 
hearsay from anybody ; for seeing is believing, 
and feeling under Divine influence is the naked 
truth. I feel such a sweet freedom in writing 
to you, that it seems as if I was present with 
you, talking face to face. 

Springfield, Guilford Co., N. C, 4th mo. 11, 1842. 
My dearly beloved friend Joseph John Gurney : 
I duly received thy truly acceptable letter 
dated 6th mo. 29, 1841, bringing intelligence 



LETTERS. 149 

on various interesting subjects; but tlie most 
consoling and comforting of all was, to hear of 
thy safe arrival at home, and being again per- 
mitted through the mercies of Him that loved 
us and gave Himself for us, to embrace thy dear 
children in the bonds of parental ajGFection, and 
mingle with thy beloved connexions and long- 
tried friends, after such a long and perilous 
absence on sea and land, in the w^ilderness and 
among the cultivated fields, in heights and in 
depths ; oft surrounded by difficulties and 
dangers on every hand. Methought I saw thee 
sometimes hanging high on the broken wave, 
and an awful chasm beneath to swallow up the 
little bark ; but midst the strife of elements, 
in all, through all, and over all, my soul clave 
unto thee, and the mandate went forth, " Peace, 
be still," and a great calm has taken place, and 
thou, with thy dearest earthly treasure, seemest 
to me to be standing as in the entering in of the 
cave, waiting to hear the still small voice, which, 
if faithfully attended to, will lead on to victory 
over death, hell, and the grave. This, I believe, 
you have measurably experienced, and will fully 
do so in due time, to your everlasting comfort 
and consolation. Be assured, you had my most 
cordial approval in your union. I feel some- 



150 MEMOIR or NATHAN HUNT. 

times as if I was participating with you in the 
sweet enjoyment that is now permitted you. 
And may you, my beloved children, not be too 
much taken up with the gift, and neglect the 
Giver^ who lends His blessings and withdraws 
them from us at His pleasure ; all that we have 
and all that we are is under His control ; we are 
only stewards over His manifold gifts and graces 
that He is pleased to bestow upon us, and for 
which we are accountable ; and blessed are those 
servants who are ready for settlement when He 
cometh. It seems as if I was present with you 
beholding the order of your family, &c. May 
He who united you together, still be with you 
and make you fruitful in the field of offering, 
and joyful in the house of prayer. The last 
accounts we have from England are from Josiah 
Forster, giving me privilege to draw on thy 
brother, Samuel Gurney, in London, for «£600 
sterling, your kind donation for the relief of 
our boarding-school from its embarrassed situa- 
tion. It is most thankfully and gratefully 
received, for without it, it does seem to me, we 
could not continue the school ; and to give it up 
would be a very trying thing to some of us. It 
is now going on in as quiet, consistent a manner 
as at any time since its commencement, with 



LETTERS. 151 

thirty pupils ; and I believe from late impres- 
sions on my mind respecting it, it will succeed 
and be a valuable institution to the members of 
3ur Yearly Meeting. 

My health has been so delicate for some time 
past, that it is difficult for me to go about much. 
I have generally been able to attend meetings 
at home, and never felt greater love to Friends, 
nor a deeper interest in the concerns of Society, 
and for the maintenance of its various and pe- 
culiar testimonies, believing it never has been 
more needful since we have been the peculiar 
people that the Lord hath required us to be, 
for us to keep close to our principles, and as 
clear and free from the spirit and friendship of 
the" world as possible. It is a time of great 
religious and political excitement — party spirit 
running high, and things outward appearing 
gloomy — that it seems to me that the signs of 
the times proclaim, "To thy tents, oh Israel." 
God is thy tent, or refuge, and underneath are 
the everlasting arms, and he shall thrust out 
the enemy from before thee, and shall say, " De- 
stroy them." " Israel then shall dwell in safety 
alone ; the foundation of Jacob shall be upon 
a land of corn and wine ; also his heavens shall 
drop down dew. Happy art thou, oh ! Israel, 



152 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

who is like unto thee ? A people saved by the 
Lord, the shield of thy help, and who is the 
sword of thy excellency ; and thy enemies shall 
be found liars unto thee, and thou shalt tread 
upon their high places." I believe our safety 
depends much in keeping near the Captain of 
our soul's salvation, who never was foiled in 
battle, that so we may not be caught in any of 
the wiles nor glossy snares of his and our enemy. 
My prayers are frequent and earnest for Friends 
everywhere, and especially in England, that 
they may be kept down to the root of life, 
which is able to bear the cross with becoming 
dignity. I mention England, because there 
this remarkable people first raised the standard 
of truth with the Star of Bethlehem upon it, 
and may it never be lowered by their descend- 
ants in that nation in any respect. It seems to 
me there is a day of sifting coming in our So- 
ciety, wherein the pure wheat will be more 
separated from the chaff than it has been for 
many years past. May the priests, the minis- 
ters of the Lord everywhere among us, have, 
and keep on, the Thummim and Urim, breast- 
plate and girdle, having the bell and pomegra- 
nate round about their borders, for the sound 
of the bell, without the sweet scent and savour 



LETTERS. 153 

of the pomegranate, will avail nothing, but be 
like the sounding brass and tinkling cymbal. 

Be ye^ therefore, followers of God as dear 
children, walking in love, as I am persuaded 
you will do, for Christ's sake. 

Our dear little girls, Hannah B. and Eliza 
K., are fine, healthy, active children. My 
children are in usual health, and those who are 
present unite with me in dear love to you and 
yours. 

Your closely attached friend and brother in 
tribulation, in heights and depths, 

Nathan Hunt. 

P. S. — My dear love to thy brother Samuel 
and family, dear sister Fry and hers. My near 
sympathy awaits our mutually endeared J. 
Backhouse, and his beloved wife and children 
in their affliction. My love to William Allen, 
P. Bedford, Josiah and Robert Forster, and 
friends generally, for I love them all that love 
the Lord Jesus in truth and sincerity. Do 
please one of you write soon, and give particu- 
lar information about things in England, for I 
am interested in all that concerns Friends there. 



154 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

TO E. P. G. 

Springfield, 7th mo. 1, 1845. 
Dear friend : 

Partly from a willingness on my own part to 
correspond with thee, and partly at the request 
of thy friend, my dear aged father, I sit down 
to write to thee. I cannot recollect the many 
messages he charged me with before he left (he 
is now staying a few weeks at the school with 
sister Stanley), but he wished me to acknow- 
ledge thy very welcome letter, and '^give my 
dear love to her, and tell her I never expect to 
be able to write again to anybody. Oh, if I 
could see to write to Eliza — dear child !" His 
sight has so failed that he can only read large, 
clear print, and but little at a time. He is very 
feeble, and has pretty much given up walking, 
but sometimes he will take a staff in each hand, 
and set off. I have changed the road, so as to 
go nearly straight from our door to the meet- 
ing-house, which lessens the distance. His ap- 
petite is good, and he sleeps sound. He is 
much attached to home. His friends see and 
admit there is a failure in his memory, but in 
the exercise of his gift in the ministry, it is 
surprising how bright and lively he is, and with 
what aptness he quotes the Scriptures. 



LETTERS. 155 

With much love from us, I am thy sincere 
friend, 

Thomas T. Hunt. 

At a later date he says, " Through the ten- 
der mercy of my God, I have enjoyed great 
quietness and peace of mind for some weeks 
past, and I desire to lie low before Him, and to 
walk softly all the days of my life." 

Thus did this venerable pilgrim journey on, 
seeking a better country, and though many 
were the tribulations he had to pass through, 
yet his resigned and patient spirit seemed to 
breathe the language, " None of these things 
move me, neither count I my life dear unto 
myself, that I might finish my course with joy, 
and the ministry which I have received of the 
Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the grace 
of God." 

A friend, who visited him for the first time 
a few months before his decease, observed, that 
she had never been sensible of the same pre- 
cious covering of deep solemnity, as during a 
religious opportunity which occurred under his 
roof, when he commended them all, with his 
own soul, to that God he had so faithfully 
served. His prayers and his praises seemed to 



156 MEMOIR or NATHAN HUNT. 

ascend as spiritual sacrifices from the altar of 
his dedicated heart before the throne, and the 
odour of the incense filled the room. 

His memory gradually failed him, and his 
bodily powers were greatly impaired, but he 
continued alive in the truth to the latest period 
of his existence ; and at the advanced age of 
ninety-five, as falls the ripe corn in its season, 
he fell asleep in Jesus. And through the riches 
of redeeming mercy his ransomed spirit is, we 
cannot doubt, united to that glorious company 
who, with the palms of victory in their hands, 
are singing the new song which none can sing 
but those who have the Father's name written 
upon their foreheads. 



ADDENDA. 157 



ADDENDA. 

The publishers of these memoirs deem the 
following extracts from the diary of William 
Allen, recorded at various times, relative to 
Nathan Hunt, may not be without interest to 
the reader. For the information of those un- 
acquainted with the character of William Allen, 
they will merely remark, he was an approved 
minister of the Society of Friends, distin- 
guished for his scientific attainments, sterling 
integrity, discretion, prudence, and practical 
benevolence. 

" When greatly enfeebled, he several times 
expressed the comfort he felt in having such a 
quiet retreat as Lindfield, in passing away, and 
acknowledged with thankfulness the blessings 
which the Lord had provided for him. The 
patient submission with which he bore the tibials 
of a long illness, was an instructive lesson to 
those around him : no murmur ever escaped his 
lips, and his fervent petition to be kept unto 



158 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

the end was mercifully granted. In him the 
experience of the Psalmist was strikingly real- 
ized : ' My flesh and my heart faileth ; but God 
is the strength of ray heart, and my portion for 
ever/ 

" His redeemed spirit was gently released on 
the 30th of 12th month, 1843. At that solemn 
moment the calming influence of the blessed 
hope of the Gospel was sensibly felt ; and in the 
humble trust that through the mercy of God in 
Christ Jesus, he had received the end of his 
faith, even the salvation of his soul, the language 
of grateful adoration arose, 'Unto Him that 
loved us and washed us from our sins in His own 
blood, to Him be glory and dominion for ever 
and ever! Amen.'" He was seventy-three 
years of age ; a minister about twenty-five years. 

"William Allen mentions calling at John 
Rowe's to see Nathan Hunt, from North Caro- 
lina, and afterwards speaks of him as a very 
remarkable minister. He attended several meet- 
ings, appointed at the request of N. H., both 
for difi*erent classes of our own members, and 
for persons not in religious profession with us. 
He also accompanied him to Rochester, and 
appeared to derive satisfaction and comfort 
from the labours of this dear Friend, on various 



ADDENDA. l59 

occasions. In alluding to the ministry of Nathan 
Hunt, in the meeting for discipline, in the morn- 
ing, William Allen describes it as very powerful, 
and adds : It seemed to make a great impression. 
He compared the enemy of souls to a spider, 
who first wound his web around one leg of his 
prey, and then went away, and returning again, 
seized upon another, thus pursuing his victim 
until it was completely powerless, and then he 
poisoned him. He quoted some passages from 
the Proverbs, and addressed the young men 
with great energy. Many were aflfected, and I 
think his communication will be long remem- 
bered. The Select Yearly Meeting was held in 
the afternoon. There was a solemn feeling on 
first sitting down. After the business was con- 
cluded, I felt that it might be required of me to 
ofier up prayer for the aged, both absent and 
present, and also for those who were going out 
in the service of the Gospel, but after some time 
the concern seemed laid upon dear Nathan 
Hunt, who in a remarkable manner expressed 
all that was upon my mind, and much more. 
Nathan Hunt, Huldah Sears, and many other 
Friends dined with us. After dinner we had a 
time of religious retirement, in which my spirit 
was refreshed. N. H. spoke on the text, ' To 



160 MEMOIR OF NATHAN HUNT. 

do good, and to communicate forget not, for 
with such sacrifices God is well pleased,' dwell- 
ing much xxipon forget not.'' 

In conclusion, the publishers believe by atten- 
tion to the intimation oi forget not on the mind 
of a dearly beloved friend of N. H., whilst on 
a religious visit to America from a distant land, 
the numerous relatives and others, are indebted 
for this brief memoir, — indeed, it may be in 
truth said of his father's memoir also, for the 
thought of the one, was the cause of the thought 
of the other. 

'' Her labours in America were very abundant, 
and there is reason to believe blessed to very 
many. During the five years she spent on that 
continent, she visited the greater part of the 
meetings of Friends, and in doing so, shrank 
from no hardship or privation consequent upon 
travelMng in districts recently settled.'' 



THE END. 



K^M^ 



-?7 



f 



